Lorraine Currelley, Executive Director for the Bronx Book Fair and Poets Network & Exchange is the State of New York Bronx Beat Poet Laureate 2020-2022. The award was bestowed by the National Beat Poetry Foundation.
Lorraine Currelley is a poet, spoken word artist, writer, pearls of wisdom storyteller and educator. She is the Executive Director for Poets Network & Exchange, where she curates featured poetry/spoken word readings, creative writing workshops, panel discussions, an open mic, a blog and a scholar lecture series. In 2017 she made herstory becoming the first female executive director for the Bronx Book Fair, the premiere and largest literary event in the Bronx. She is widely anthologized and an awards recipient.
Publications include but are not limited to DoveTales, Mandela Tributes, PA/PoetsArtists, Blind Beggar Press 35th Anniversary Anthology, Shirley Part of the Problem Belladonna Publishers, Sling Magazine, Mom Egg Review, MER VOX Gallery (Curator) and Gaptooth Girlfriends: The Third Act, An Anthology.
Awards and acknowledgements include but are not limited to: Bronx Council for the Arts, Arts Fund Grant 2020 and Bronx Council for the Arts Community Arts Grant 2020. Bronx Council for The Arts Community Artist Grant 2018 & 2019, Bronx Council for The Arts Su-Casa formerly S.P.A.R.C., Seniors Partnering with the Arts Citywide Residency 2014, BinderCon Scholar Awardee 2014/2016, NYPL Public Library Arts for A Lifetime Awardee 2015, AWP Spotlight 2015/2016, Poets & Writers, Inc. Spotlight and Cross Cultural Reading 2015/2016 organization invitation among others.
She is an Advisor for Writing for Peace, and Board member at Blind Beggar Press. Memberships include Poets & Writers, AWP, and National Writers Union. She is the former President of The Harlem Arts Fund. She has a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling and a Certificate of Specialization in Thanatology (grief and bereavement). She resides in New York City.
About the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc.
The National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2008 and incorporated in 2016. In 2015 the National Beat Poetry Foundation started a Beat Laureate program, where they would honor poets for their hard work and dedication to poety and the arts. The poets are recommended by their peers. They are selected after a rigorous research and vesting process.
About the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc.
The National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization, behind destivals like “National Beat Poetry Festival” (NBPF), “International Beat Poetry Festival” (IBPF), and “Kerouac Cafe”. While we continue to preserve the writings of the “Beat Generation’, we strive to keep evolving to create a new ” Beat Generation” of Poets, Writers, Artists, and Musicians. To learn more about NBPF contact NBPF15@gmail.com.
About the Bronx Book Fair
The Bronx Book Fair is the borough’s premiere literary event and features a variety of diverse literary voices. This year the fair will welcome featured authors readings, workshops, and panels. There will be special programs for children and families. National Writers Union and Book vendors will also be available.
Founded in 2013, the Bronx Book Fair is dedicated to engaging and growing the community of poets and writers in the Bronx and to connecting to readers and book lovers of all ages. Through readings, workshops, panels, and presentations. Our goal is to engage the community with a variety of literature and programs that will broaden access to Bronx literary artists, increase library usage and encourage a love of books and reading.
About Poets Network & Exchange, Inc.
Poets Network & Exchange, Inc. is a 501.c3 not for-for-profit organization. A positive and supportive intergenerational space for poets and writers at all levels. Poets Network & Exchange, Inc. produces and host featured spoken work, poetry readings, creative writing workshops and a Scholar Lecture Series, and open mic. Poets Network & Exchange, Inc. advocates for reading and literacy.
