https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/ [login to see] /academy-of-american-poets-first-latino-head
For the first time, the Academy of American Poets will be lead by a Latino: Ricardo Alberto Maldonado. Maldonado, currently the co-director of the 92NY's Unterberg Poetry Center in New York City, will be the organization's next executive director and president
Founded in 1934 by a 23-year-old poet named Marie Bullock, the Academy of American Poets is the country's most prominent organization dedicated to all things verse-related in the United States. It supports emerging and established poets through grant programs, publishes American Poets Magazine and the website poets.org and provides educational resources to teachers, among other offerings.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Maldonado is steeped in the American poetry scene. At the 92NY's Unterberg Poetry Center, he has overseen readings, workshops and an annual poetry contest. He founded the Young Writers Workshop for students and helped spearhead the organization's DEI committee. He co-edited Puerto Rico en mi corazón, a bilingual collection of contemporary works by 40 Puerto Rican poets, created to help Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.