Tyehimba Jess

Tyehimba Jess serves as a Distinguished Professor of English at the College of Staten Island, where he contributes to the academic community through his teaching and literary scholarship. His work bridges the gap between contemporary poetry and historical exploration, particularly focusing on African American cultural heritage.

His research interests center on African American poetry, literary history, and performance traditions. Jess's work often examines the intersection of music, history, and poetry, with particular attention to overlooked figures in American cultural history. His innovative approach to poetic form challenges conventional boundaries between historical research and creative expression, making significant contributions to the field of contemporary poetry.

Jess has received numerous prestigious honors including the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry (2017) for his groundbreaking work Olio, which examines African American performers from the minstrel era. His accolades also include the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, the Midland Society Author's Award in Poetry, and a Guggenheim Fellowship (2018).

As an educator and mentor, Jess has influenced numerous emerging writers through his teaching and involvement with organizations like Cave Canem. His work with the Green Mill Poetry Slam Team demonstrates his commitment to both academic and performance poetry traditions.