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Jericho Brown is an Associate Professor and Director of the Creative Writing Program at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a celebrated poet whose work explores themes of race, sexuality, violence, and the American South. His innovative poetry has earned him numerous prestigious awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Education:
- PhD, University of Houston
- MFA, University of New Orleans
- BA, Dillard University
Jericho Brown's poetry is characterized by its formal innovation and deep engagement with social justice issues. He is particularly known for inventing the "duplex," a poetic form that combines elements of the sonnet, ghazal, and blues. His work consistently examines the intersections of identity, power, and vulnerability, with a particular focus on the experiences of Black queer men in America. Brown's poetry is both personal and political, weaving together intimate narratives with broader cultural commentary. He frequently employs religious imagery while questioning traditional religious frameworks, creating a unique spiritual dimension to his work.
His publications demonstrate a consistent exploration of African American experiences, queer identity, and the legacy of violence in American society. Brown's work often addresses police brutality, systemic racism, and the normalization of terror in everyday spaces, while simultaneously celebrating beauty and resilience.
Major Awards and Honors:
- Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (2019) for The Tradition
- American Book Award (2008) for Please
- Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (2014) for The New Testament
- Paterson Poetry Prize (2019) for The Tradition
- Whiting Award
- Guggenheim Fellowship
- National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
- Radcliffe Institute Fellowship
As Director of the Creative Writing Program at Emory University, Brown mentors emerging writers and shapes the next generation of poets. His work has been supported by significant fellowships that have allowed him to pursue his craft internationally, including time at La Biennale in Venice, Italy. Brown frequently gives readings across the country, connecting with audiences through the powerful performance of his work. His teaching philosophy draws connections between the performative aspects of church (where he grew up singing in the youth choir) and the transformative power of poetry.
Brown's creative process is deeply influenced by his experiences growing up in the American South, his time in church, and his journey of self-discovery as a gay Black man. His writing reflects both the pain of family estrangement due to his sexuality and the joy of artistic expression as a means of survival and transformation.
