The position of Birmingham Poet Laureate was created in the mid-1990s with the awardee "chosen from poets who live or practice in Birmingham by a panel of judges." An honorary role, poets act as a "poetry ambassador", helping to raise the profile of poetry across Birmingham, penning poetry for special occasions, leading workshops, mentoring the newly appointed Young Poet Laureate, and "inspiring others to try their own hand at reading and writing poetry."
The next laureate is typically announced on National Poetry Day by Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham Poet Laureates
The first Birmingham Poet Laureate was artist/writer Brian Lewis (1996-1997) whose publications include Waters of Birmingham: Birmingham Laureate Poems, which was published in 1997.
The 2022-2024 Birmingham Poet Laureate is Jasmine Gardosi, a "writer and activist whose work has covered mental health and LGBTQ+ issues."
1996 to 1997 - Brian Lewis
1997 to 1998 - David Hart
1998 to 1999 - Sibyl Ruth
1999 to 2000 - Simon Pitt
2000 to 2001 - Roshan Doug
2001 to 2002 - Roi Kwabena
2002 to 2003 - Julie Boden
2003 to 2004 - Roz Goddard
2004 to 2005 - Don Barnard
2005 to 2006 - Richard Grant, aka Dreadlockalien
2006 to 2007 - Giovanni "Spoz" Esposito
2008 to 2009 - Chris Morgan
2009 to 2010 - Adrian Johnson
2010 to 2011 - Roy McFarlane
2011 to 2012 - Jan Watts
2012 to 2013 - Stephen Morrison-Burke
2013 to 2014 - Joanna Skelt
2014 to 2016 - Adrian Blackledge
2016 to 2018 - Matt Windle
2018 to 2022 - Richard O'Brien
2020 to 2022 - Casey Bailey
2022 to 2024 - Jasmine Gardosi
Young Birmingham Poet Laureate
From West Heath, Birmingham Iona Mandal is the 2022-2024 Young Birmingham Poet Laureate, replacing Fatma Mohiuddin. Iona won her first poetry award – the Children's Book Show Award for Poetry 2013 - at the age of 7. She is the first Bengali of Indian diaspora to win he Birmingham role.
2005 to 2006 - Helen Monks
2006 to 2007 - Jennifer Brough
2007 to 2008 - Matt Windle
2008 to 2009 - Megan Bradbury
2009 to 2010 - India Miller
2010 to 2011 - Jordan Westcarr
2011 to 2012 - Damani Dennisur
2012 to 2013 - Claire Guest
2013 to 2014 - Lauren Williams
2014 to 2016 - Serena Arthur
2016 to 2018 - Nyanda Foday
2018 to 2020 - Aliyah Begum, 2020 to 2022 - Fatma Mohiuddin 2022 to 2024 - Iona Mandal