WORD IS BOND: A Griot’s Tribute to Everett Hoagland
Gallery X
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JULY 24, 2025
CONTACT:
Mary Montiero
monteirofineart@gmail.com
WORD IS BOND: A Griot’s Tribute to Everett Hoagland
New Bedford, MA — On Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM, Gallery X will host “WORD IS BOND: A Griot’s Tribute to Everett Hoagland”, a powerful evening of poetry, storytelling, and remembrance honoring the life and legacy of Everett Henry Hoagland III (1942–2025), New Bedford’s first Poet Laureate and one of the great voices of the American literary canon.
Hoagland passed away on July 5, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in Philadelphia on December 18, 1942, he rose to prominence during the Black Arts Movement, becoming a nationally respected voice in poetry and cultural thought. For over three decades, he taught English and African American literature at UMass Dartmouth, influencing generations of students and fellow writers with his insight, mentorship, and advocacy.
His published collections include:
- Black Velvet (1970)
- Scrimshaw (1976)
- This City and Other Poems (1999)
- Here: New & Selected Poems (2002)
- Homecoming (2014)
- The Ways: Poems of Affirmation, Remembrance, Reflection and Wonder – winner of the 2023 American Book Award
As a poet, educator, and activist, Hoagland exemplified the role of a Griot—a storyteller and keeper of community memory and cultural wisdom in West African tradition. His work served not only as art, but as testimony, affirmation, and resistance.
The tribute is curated by Mwalim, a keeper of the Griot tradition, Associate Professor of English, Communications, and Black Studies at UMass Dartmouth and Artistic Director of Oversoul Theatre Collective, Inc. As a former colleague and mentee of Hoagland, Mwalim was an admirer of his work and the impact Hoagland had on the cultural landscape of the Southcoast. He envisioned this event as a fitting way to honor Hoagland’s legacy in the Griot tradition.
The evening will include readings, tributes, and performances by:
- Charlie Perry
- Maia Jaye Livramento
- Mwalim
- Rick Finneran
- …and other community voices
WORD IS BOND is both a farewell and a celebration—a community gathering rooted in spoken word, memory, and tradition. The program will begin promptly at 5:30 PM, and seating is limited. Early arrival is strongly recommended.
Event Summary
Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM (prompt start)
Location: Gallery X, 169 William Street, New Bedford, MA
Admission: Free | Limited Seating
About Everett Hoagland:
Everett Hoagland was a nationally recognized poet and educator, whose work helped define the Black Arts Movement. A longtime professor at UMass Dartmouth and New Bedford’s Poet Laureate from 1994 to 1998, he was known for his lyrical, socially engaged poetry and his commitment to cultural education. His awards include the Gwendolyn Brooks Award, Langston Hughes Society Award, and the American Book Award.