Salinas poet laureate — James Golden

Marcos Cabrera, The Monterey Herald, May 2013

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Award-winning poet/writer James B. Golden was formally introduced as the first-ever Salinas poet laureate on April 27 at John Steinbeck Library's Authors Forum in Salinas.

 

Golden won the 2012 NAACP Image Award in poetry for his book "Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain." He is a Salinas native who graduated from North Salinas High School in 2003. His parents, James and Valerie Golden, still reside in Salinas.

 

Golden worked closely with former Salinas mayor and current Assemblywoman Anna Caballero in her Partners for Peace program.

 

Golden's appointment runs through April 2015. He was awarded the 2012 Salinas City of Champions award for his outstanding service to the community and success as a writer. His work has been published in Vibe Magazine, Jazz Times and Los Angeles Our Weekly.

 

Golden will be on hand for the city's Youth Poet Laureate competition June 1 at Salinas High School.