E. Stanley Richardson is an American poet, actor, playwright, social/political commentator and lecturer.
He is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Alachua County, Florida (2020 – 2022)
He is an accomplished actor, some of his many on stage theatrical performances include “Fences” (Troy) August Wilson, “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” (Big Daddy) Tennessee Williams, “The Royale” (Wynton) Marco Ramirez, “Satchmo At The Waldorf” (Louis Armstrong) Terry Teachout, “Tambourines To Glory” (Buddy Lomax) Langston Hughes, “Jesus Hopped The A Train” (Lucius Jenkins) Stephen Adly Guirgis, and “In Splendid Error” (Frederick Douglass) William B Branch
Each of these particular productions explore the theme of race, class and culture in American society.
He is the author of the award winning book of poetry “Hip Hop Is Dead – Long Live Hip Hop: The Birth, Death And Resurrection Of Hip Hop Activism” (2017)
His poetry has appeared in various literary publications in the United States and abroad.
His social/political commentary and lectures typically probe the intersections of race, media, artistic expression (specifically music) and popular culture, including the exploration of organic African American Art Forms in a colonial environment.
He is the Founder/Director of ARTSPEAKSgnv. A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy in youths and adults, encouraging creativity, bringing awareness through Art Activism, expanding ideas and opportunity, by providing a medium for expression through the Art of Poetry, Spoken-Word and Storytelling.
www.ARTSPEAKSgnv.org
He is the Director of the Alachua County/North Central Florida Youth Poet Laureate Program, in partnership with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, Urban Word NYC, and Alachua County, Florida.
E. Stanley Richardson is a Florida native and currently resides in Alachua County, Florida.
Key Highlights
- Nominated for the Bob Graham Center, 2020 Florida Citizen Of The Year award. In recognition of individuals who have made substantial civic and professional contributions to Florida.
- Appointed Poet Laureate of Alachua County, Florida (2020 – 2022)
- City of Gainesville, Florida 2018 Business Arts Award (ARTSPEAKS gnv)
- Alachua County, Florida Library District Literacy Award (2012)