About
Join us for a FREE reading by acclaimed poet, author, and World Poetry Slam finalist Danez Smith at the 2026 Raymond Danowski Poetry Library Reading . A Pulitzer Prize in Poetry finalist and National Book Award finalist whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The New Yorker, and on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Smith brings poetry that is fearless and unforgettable with performances that engage urgent questions of identity, justice, language, and belonging. This annual reading welcomes our Emory and Atlanta communities to gather in celebration of living poetry — not just words on a page, but voice, presence, and shared experience. Register to join us. Arrive early, parking and seating are limited. A shuttle from campus is available for Emory students only, with the location and schedule TBD – sign up at https://bit.ly/Danowski2026-shuttle .