Image features twelve images of the 2025 Poetry & the Creative Mind readersPoetry & the Creative Mind 

Thursday, April 24, 2025

7:30 p.m. ET 

Virtual

Free and open to all; registration required

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2025 Leadership Award Honorees

Patricia H. Grodd

Terrance Hayes

This virtual benefit celebrates the Academy during National Poetry Month, which the Academy founded in 1996, and features actors, artists, and celebrities reading inspiring and favorite poems in support of the Academy’s educational programs. The event is free—donations encouraged. 

Featuring

Our host: Ada Limón

Christine Baranski

Natalie Batalha

Danielle Deadwyler

Terrance Hayes

Sofia Kamal, National Student Poet

Stephen King

Tony Kushner

Fran Lebowitz

Lawrence O’Donnell

Morgan Spector

and more

 

A list of event contributors and sponsors

Join the Producers Circle

Click here to navigate to the producers circle page

Producer Circle members provide much-needed funds for the Academy’s educational programs and enable the event to be broadcast to viewers around the world at no cost. 

Host a Watch Party

Sharing this event is fun and easy. You can host a watch party for your friends and community, students, or family using your TV or large screen. We’ll provide tips and tricks and even offer some goodies, including callouts during the chat and poetry swag. Let us know during registration if you are planning to host a watch party and we will reach out with tips, tricks, and a few poetry treats.

host a watch party button

Since this event began in 2003, readers have included Uzo Aduba, Carrie Coon, Willem Dafoe, Claire Danes, Paul Giamatti, Ethan Hawke, Terrence Howard, Bill T. Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Liam Neeson, Susan-Lori Parks, Paul Simon, Patti Smith, Uma Thurman, Courtney B. Vance, Dianne Wiest, Carrie Mae Weems, Malala Yousafzai, as well as frequent Honorary Event Cochair Meryl Streep.