City of Mobile Poet Laureate 2026-27
The Mobile Arts Council (MAC), in partnership with the City of Mobile and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, is proud to announce the appointment of Alex Lofton, known throughout the community as “Huggy Bear da Poet,” as Mobile’s 2026–2027 Poet Laureate.
The Poet Laureate program celebrates the power of poetry to uplift, connect, and inspire the people of Mobile. As an ambassador for the literary arts, the Poet Laureate will use the written and spoken word to deepen community engagement, promote creative expression, and celebrate the cultural vibrancy of our city.
Alex Lofton’s lifelong connection to Mobile is woven through generations. Raised between the heart of Mobile, the neighborhoods of Prichard, and the red-clay hills of Citronelle, his earliest performances took place inside his grandmother’s country church. Lofton refined his voice and passion for the arts at John L. Leflore Magnet High School, where he developed the integrity, purpose, and creative drive that have shaped his career.
For more than 20 years, Huggy Bear has authored, performed, educated, and advocated through the art of poetry. His mission has remained constant: to use poems as a bridge—uniting people across racial, social, and political divides, empowering young people, and strengthening the fabric of the community.
In his own words:
“Poetry has been my fervor and my untamed zeal for over a score. It’s my vocation and chosen life mission. Despite more lucrative opportunities, my purpose has always been to author, perform, educate, and advocate for the people through the art of verse. I’ve been doing the work for the last 20 years because it was aligned with my purpose. I am honored to now serve the City of Mobile as its Poet Laureate.”
MAC and its partners are thrilled to continue this vital program and to champion the role of poetry in strengthening community bonds, celebrating local voices, and enriching our cultural landscape.
Upcoming Events:
January 9, 2026: ArtWalk Poetry Reading.
Mobile selects Dr. Charlotte Pence as city’s first poet laureate
Mobile, Ala. — Through a partnership with the Mobile Arts Council and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the City of Mobile has named writer and educator Dr. Charlotte Pence as its first poet laureate.
A published author and accomplished poet, Pence has been a professor in the English Department at the University of South Alabama since 2017. Her poetry has been published in the “Harvard Review,” “Sewanee Review,” “Poetry” magazine and other journals. Her books of poetry include “Code” and “Many Small Fires.” You can find more of her work at www.charlottepence.com.
Currently, Pence serves as the Director of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing, which enhances USA’s offerings in creative writing by sponsoring readings, lectures, forums, community projects, and other free public events. The Stokes Center also issues awards in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to USA students.
In her honorary position with the City of Mobile, Pence will continue a similar mission to encourage young Mobilians to explore poetry and find their own unique voices. Over the next two years, she’ll be leading educational workshops for local youth, participating in public events and writing original works of poetry about our historic community and its people.
“I am honored to be selected as Mobile’s inaugural poet laureate,” Pence said. “My hope is to uplift as many voices as possible from this vibrant, multi-faceted community. I want to showcase the diversity of poetic voices that already exists here and encourage more people into poetry.”
After an extensive application and review process led by the Mobile Arts Council, Mayor Sandy Stimpson tapped Pence to serve as the City of Mobile’s first poet laureate last month. Through her work with the City of Mobile, Pence will help expand opportunities for Mobilians to access and learn more about poetry while also creating avenues for local poets to share their own works.
“There is great power in the written word, and there are so many stories worth telling in the City of Mobile,” Mayor Stimpson said. “We are thrilled to have someone as talented and passionate as Dr. Pence representing our community. I also want to thank the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Mobile Arts Council for their partnership and leadership on this initiative.”
Thanks to funding from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Pence will receive an honorarium stipend of $5,000 over her term as poet laureate. The City of Mobile will also publish poems by Pence in a book that will be made available at future community events.
As part of the same initiative, the City of Birmingham named writer and educator Salaam Green as its first poet laureate in late December.
Read MoreHONORARIUM: $5,000 FOR A 2-YEAR TERM
The Mobile Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Mobile and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, invited local poets to apply to be Mobile’s inaugural 2024-2025 Poet Laureate.
The City of Mobile Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for poetry in Mobile. This is an honorary position and roles and responsibilities include making local appearances, facilitating public and educational programs, and building advocacy and community through poetry. The poet laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000 over the course of their term.
Eligibility
Applicants must have been age 18 years old or older, lived in the City of Mobile at the time of application and for the duration of the appointment, demonstrated a track record of public presentation of original poetry, including in-person and/or online events and via websites and/or social media, and had capacity and availability to attend periodic public events over the course of the two-year term. Interested poets may apply here.
Selection Process & Artist Expectations
Poets were selected for consideration by a distinguished community review panel who made recommendations to the Mayor of the City of Mobile who officially selected and appointed the City of Mobile Poet Laureate.
Scope of Work
The City of Mobile Poet Laureate agreed to the following scope of work, repeatable for each year of their term:
- Host three workshops for schools within Mobile city limits.
- Participate in five City of Mobile events (dates/ events to be shared no later than February of each term year).
- Write three original poems for the City of Mobile.
