In 2024, Tess Taylor was named an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow. Taylor will mentor students at El Cerrito High School’s new literary magazine; connect local writers and editors of larger regional literary magazines with El Cerrito High School students; and help the magazine create an event where all contributors can celebrate. Taylor will also bring in Bay Area poets to offer writing workshops at each of the city’s five public schools, helping students at each location access poetry.