Ashley M. Jones is the youngest and first person of color to be named poet laureate of Alabama, a position created 91 years ago.
“Hopefully, as poet laureate, I can shine some light on the work that is being done that is positive and just remind people that the south is still part of the U.S.,” Jones said.
Jones teaches at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She co-directs the PEN American chapter in Birmingham, Alabama, and runs a nonprofit organization called the Magic City Poetry Festival.
Her third and latest poetry collection is REPARATIONS NOW! (Hub City Press, 2021). Jones earned a master of fine arts degree from Florida International University.
