Suffolk County Poet Laureate Chip Williford, in partnership with the Caribbean American Poetry Association (CAPA), has announced a call for submissions for a new anthology highlighting the voices of Black poets across Long Island.
The anthology, Celebrating Jupiter: An Anthology of Black Poets, is being launched in recognition of the 100th anniversary of celebrating Black history. The project pays tribute to Jupiter Hammon, the first published Black poet in America, who was enslaved in Suffolk County. Organizers say the collection will center themes of culture, resilience, freedom, strength, and survival.
“We are seeking poems from 100 poets who live, work, or have affiliations in Suffolk County and Long Island,” Williford said, noting that submissions are welcome from students, emerging writers, and established poets alike. Selected works will be featured in the anthology, which is scheduled for release during a National Black Poetry Day tribute later this year.
The submission window opened February 26 and will close May 26, 2026. Poets may submit up to three poems, each no longer than 500 words, in Word document format. Submissions must follow specific formatting guidelines and include a brief third-person biography. Organizers emphasized that AI-generated content and poems containing graphic or inappropriate themes will not be accepted.
Dr. Beryl R. Williams, CAPA’s president and founder, said the initiative aims to both honor Hammon’s legacy and create new connections among poets. “We look forward to an outpouring of poems and to building a stronger community of voices,” she said.
Submissions should be emailed with the subject line “Anthology of Black Poets” to chipwillifordpoetlaureate@gmail.com or caribbeanamericanpoetry@gmail.com. For additional information, applicants may contact Dr. Beryl R. Williams at caribbeanamericanpoetry@gmail.com.