Furious Flower Poetry Center

Celebrate. Educate. Preserve.

The nation's first academic center for Black poetry, Furious Flower was established on the James Madison University campus to serve creative writers, literary and cultural scholars, and poetry lovers everywhere.

2022 Furious Flower Poetry Prize

Winner:
Ariana Benson

Honorable Mention:
Benin Lemus

Finalists

Ashunda Norris, "Plantation Etymology"

Vernita Hall, "The Lost Boys"

Amy M. Alvarez, "Queensborough"

Janel Cloyd, "Birthright, Bewitching, Belief"

Oak Morse, "After We Sip Shug Avery"

2022 Furious Flower Poetry Prize Reading Livestream

Furious Flower News

Furious Flower Poetry Center Welcomes New Director

L. Renée joins Furious Flower Poetry Center as the new Assistant Director this summer.
Furious Flower Poetry Center Highlighted on The Breeze TV

The Furious Flower Poetry Center was highlighted in two episodes of The Breeze TV at JMU
Furious Flower Poetry Center Celebrates National Poetry Month with a Poem a Day

The Furious Flower Poetry Center celebrated National Poetry Month (April) with a Poem a Day on social media. Read all about it and see the complete list of poems chosen.
Sonia Sanchez Wins Jackson Poetry Prize

Sonia Sanchez, activist and poet whose work and presence were instrumental to many Furious Flower events, wins the Jackson Poetry Prize, an $80,000 award.
Furious Flower Poetry Center Receives Literary Arts Emergency Fund Award of $15,000

Furious Flower Poetry Center Receives Literary Arts Emergency Fund Award of $15,000, launched and administered by the Academy of American Poets, the Community of Literary Magazine & Presses (CLMP), and the National Book

Furious Flower Poetry Resources

Legacy Seminar for Educators

Support Our Programs

Explore More:

JMU honors Drs. Joanne V. and Alexander Gabbin

Furious Flower Poetry Center

Cardinal House
MSC 3802
500 Cardinal
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807

Email Us
540/568-8883
Fax: 540/568-8888