A star-studded evening of readings during National Poetry Month supporting efforts to bring poetry into classrooms nationwide

New York, NY (March 19, 2025)—The Academy of American Poets proudly announced today the April 24th date and celebrity lineup for Poetry & the Creative Mind, its annual National Poetry Month benefit and online celebration of poetry’s profound impact on education and culture. This year’s lineup of esteemed readers includes National Medal of Arts recipient and international best-selling author Stephen King; Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Christine Baranski; Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild nominee Morgan Spector; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner; celebrated author and raconteur Fran Lebowitz; acclaimed screenwriter, author, and news anchor Lawrence O’Donnell; National Board of Review Award winner Danielle Deadwyler; and more. 

“2025’s Poetry & the Creative Mind benefit presents a dazzling convergence of Hollywood stars, Broadway legends, best-selling authors, and powerful cultural icons reading classic American poems in celebration of National Poetry Month,” said Board Chair Tess O’Dwyer. “We’re thrilled to honor two of the brightest shining stars in the Academy’s constellation: poet extraordinaire and former Chancellor Terrance Hayes, and poetry scholar and philanthropist Patricia Grodd, for their leadership and support of the Academy.” 

“Poetry has a way of finding us just when we need it most,” added President and Executive Director Ricardo Alberto Maldonado. “At every stage of life, we turn to words to help us understand what we cannot on our own, to connect with one another, and to make sense of this shared world. Poetry invites us in, offering not only beauty but also belonging. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome global audiences back to Poetry & the Creative Mind—a night of celebration, inspiration, and the boundless power of language. Join us as we listen, share, and revel in the words that guide us forward.”

This signature event has raised more than $3.5 million total over twenty years for the Academy’s award-winning K–12 educational programs, which provide 40,000+ teachers across the U.S. with free lesson plans on Poets.org each week.

Honoring Outstanding Contributions to Poetry

During this year’s celebration, the Academy of American Poets will present its Leadership Awards to two exceptional honorees whose contributions have significantly advanced poetry’s role in education and culture:

  • Terrance Hayes, poet, MacArthur Fellow, National Book Award winner, and Chancellor Emeritus, whose mentorship and thrilling work have influenced generations of poets and poetry lovers alike.
  • Patricia Grodd, bibliotherapist, Wordsworth and Romantic scholar and professor, philanthropist, former Director and current member of the Academy’s Emeritus Council, whose lifelong dedication to poetry and education has cultivated an enduring appreciation for verse.

Since the Academy began offering Poetry & the Creative Mind as a free online event during the pandemic, more than 68,000 poetry lovers from around the world have tuned in. This event continues to showcase poetry’s transformative role in our lives—uniting audiences in joy, solace, and shared understanding.

Registration for Poetry & the Creative Mind is free and open to the public. All proceeds support the Academy’s educational programs. 

About the Academy of American Poets

The Academy of American Poets is a leading champion of poets and poetry in the United States. Through its robust prize program, the organization awards over $1.3 million annually to poets across the country. The Academy also operates Poets.org, the world’s most popular publicly funded poetry website; organizes National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; publishes Poem-a-Day and American Poets magazine; provides educational resources for K–12 teachers and adult learners; and leads the Poetry Coalition, a network of organizations dedicated to promoting the vital role of poetry in our culture.