AFRICA | 27 years old, Jewel Rodgers has made history as the first African-American and youngest-ever Poet Laureate in the state of Nebraska, United States of America.
A Poet Laureate is an official poet appointed by a government or institution, typically tasked with composing poetry for special occasions and events. Jewel’s work, celebrated for its depth and impact, has earned her this distinguished role.
Jewel credits her parents for nurturing her love for poetry and instilling a strong work ethic. She revealed that her journey as a poet began in the sixth grade, inspired by her father’s perseverance and her mother’s encouragement.
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“My father, Johnny Rodgers, is directly responsible for my work ethic. I try really, really hard, and I know no other way because of him,” Jewel said. “My mother has always encouraged the arts in me. She saw the value in my voice, my pen, and my hands when nobody else did,” she added.
Jewel Rodgers is a renowned poet, author, and performance artist. She is a three-time Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award nominee and has delivered three TEDx talks. She frequently performs at schools, conferences, and public events, captivating audiences with her art.
Her accolades include the 2022 Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, 2023 Andy Warhol Populus Fund Grantee, and 2024 Finalist in the Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam.
As a teaching artist with the Nebraska Writers Collective, Jewel has mentored aspiring writers while promoting the transformative power of poetry.
In her five-year tenure as Nebraska’s Poet Laureate, Jewel plans to focus on promoting poetry, reading, and youth engagement. She aims to empower young voices while spotlighting other Nebraska-based authors and artists.
“Thank you so much for choosing to honor my gift in this way. I am beyond privileged and honored. With this platform as both a privilege and an opportunity, I intend to uplift as many Nebraska voices as possible,” Jewel said during her acceptance speech.
Jewel’s father, Johnny Rodgers, was beaming with joy at the announcement ceremony and expressed immense pride in his daughter’s achievement.
“It’s indescribable. She’s been thinking about this for a long time and proved that you can do whatever you want if you just want it bad enough. It’s almost incredibly impossible that my daughter would be the first African-American to win such an award for the state of Nebraska,” Johnny said.
Jewel’s accomplishments extend beyond her poetic career. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from New York University.
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