LYNN — At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the city announced its first poet laureate with a unanimous yes for Michelle “LaPoetica” Richardson.
It was an emotional moment for Richardson, who walked up to the mic and sang her rendition of the first lyrics of the song “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke.
“It’s been a long time since I parked inside of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car… right outside of Boston Street, waiting for my father to get out of work,” Richardson said. “It’s been a long time since I danced around and played around a clothing factory on Wheeler Street. Right downstairs, they made the baddest candy right on Wheeler Street.”
She said today that what was born as an idea became a conversation, and it took a conglomerate to believe in it.
“John Andrews from the creative collective said, ‘You know what, Nicole (McClain), that’s not a bad idea,’ and he started by giving some funding to help this process along,” she said. “These beautiful people who work hard in this community to make things happen for us who live here came together and called for the community to come alive and bring forth poets.”
Richardson said she put her application in at 11:58 that night, choking up a bit as she remembered the moment.
“When I first came into the sight of many of you, I was homeless. I was homeless, and I still managed to travel and commute from Boston and wherever I was at to host an open mic on Walnut Street. For years I was there,” she said.
Richardson then took a moment to point out the state of the world today.
“There are a lot of people dying right now and a lot of people die without feeling seen, without feeling heard, without feeling loved, without feeling accepted,” she said. “We lose a lot of people because of those deficiencies. Today, collectively, y’all made me feel all of that, and I thank you. My whole life comes to this moment. Everything that I’ve been through, good, bad, ugly, nasty, miraculous, made me who I am today.
“So those of you like former DJs that sit on this council, never forget your magic. Never forget what drove your passions at one point in life and find your way back to it because I stand here before all of you as living proof that dreams can happen and that it’s ok to believe.”
Richardson received a standing ovation from the council and those in the audience.
“And I am also proof this is what happens when people who are magic and grown look at a child and tell them they’re magic too. So, every child in your life, remind them of their magic. Show it to them. Embrace it with them and pave the way. It shouldn’t be hard for good people to do good things,” she said.
In a press release from the city, Mayor Jared C. Nicholson commented on the appointment, saying, “Michelle’s talent and voice have long touched and resonated with our community, and we are thrilled to have her serve as our first poet laureate. Her appointment reflects the City’s dedication to keeping our arts and culture scene vibrant and underscoring its importance to the fabric of our City.”
According to the release, “Richardson is the proud daughter of Dominican immigrants and a longtime resident of Lynn. She proudly identifies as a ‘creative soul,’ a community organizer, and a ‘love and unity advocate.’”
She is a fierce supporter of the arts and is serving her second term on the Lynn Public Arts Commission and her second year as a board member of the Lynn Music Foundation. Richardson is also fluent in both English and Spanish.
Her role as poet laureate will include public readings, community engagement, and the creation of original works that reflect the city’s diverse experiences. She will receive a $2,500 stipend for her service, supported by the Downtown Lynn Cultural District and Creative Collective MA.
McClain, who introduced the idea, also commented in the release, saying, “Michelle is the perfect choice to lead this initiative,” stated McClain. “She embodies the soul of Lynn and uses her artistry to speak truth, spark dialogue, and honor our shared history. The Poet Laureate program is not just about poetry; it’s about legacy, healing, building, and imagination.”
Lynn is now just the 18th municipality in Massachusetts to designate a poet laureate.
