Words matter. They influence, they provoke feeling, they are a powerful mechanism of human communication. Poetry is one of the beautiful ways that humans created to communicate. From Haiku to Prose to Freestyle, poetry doesn’t follow a template. There is a form for every situation, for every voice. Poetry is for everyone everywhere; mastery of words and expression is performed within the confines of rooms to the National Mall on Inauguration Day.
One of the most distinguished titles one can hold in the literary community as a poet is that of Poet Laureate. The tradition of honoring the best poet is old and can be traced as far back as ancient Greece, when citizens would place sweet bay laurel leaves on the heads of the winners of poetry competitions.
During Medieval times, university scholars who mastered poetry and grammar were crowned with laurel leaves. Early 1600s English royalty had royal poets who not only entertained the court but wrote poems to highlight the best parts of the reigning King/Queen. Now it’s a title issued by governments (countries, states, cities and towns) or organizations to individuals to honor their work, often highlighting how their work has impacted their community or society as a whole for the better. The United States named its first Poet Laureate in 1986. Honorees often write and perform their works in public forums and on stages and spearhead community projects centered around literacy.
7 Directions of Service, a grassroots, Indigenous-led non-profit focused on environmental justice to protect the lands of the Occaneechi-Saponi in rural North Carolina, has named their inaugural Poet Laureate, Fayetteville’s own LeJuane Bowens. This is an honor well deserved by one of the biggest literacy advocates in the city.
7DS’s mission is clear and focuses on the 7 directions of service aimed at “protecting Sacred Places, advocating for the legal recognition of the Rights of Nature, and establishing a land, language, and cultural center grounded in traditional Yesah teachings.”
The organization connects and collaborates with artists, teachers and leaders to encourage a lasting positive impact on the community. Bowens and 7 Directions of Service have worked with each other on community projects and during an event in Wilmington, the organization officially asked him to be Poet Laureate.
Bowens happily accepted.
Executive Director, Dr. Crystal A. Cavalier-Keck, shared, “Our movements need organizers, advocates, scientists, attorneys, farmers, educators, and young people—but we also need our storytellers. Poetry gives us a way to preserve memory, speak difficult truths, celebrate our communities, and imagine futures that do not yet exist… [LeJuane] will bring poetry and storytelling into our Indigenous-led environmental justice work—helping us uplift community voices, preserve stories, celebrate culture, create space for reflection and healing, and inspire people to action.”
While Bowens’ poetry resumé reads like that of a bard, you couldn’t tell by talking to him. Fresh off of a five month tour that took him to 10 states and landed him his very own TedTalk episode, as well as his help with the NEA for Poetry Out Loud, he’s already back to business planning an epic one day fan fest in Downtown Fayetteville and planning out his new responsibilities as Poet Laureate.
“This isn't just an honor; it’s a responsibility to use poetry to bring people together, tell our stories, and make sure every voice in our community knows it matters. Honestly, the work doesn't change; it grows,” he said. “I'll have more opportunities to serve, build relationships, and use poetry in spaces where healing, conversation, and community are needed most. I'll be writing poems that reflect our community and communities abroad, leading workshops, visiting schools and organizations, mentoring writers, and creating programs that make poetry accessible while celebrating the people, history, and culture that make our community unique.”
Poetry wasn’t the thing that Bowens thought would bring him success. Bowens has given countless interviews citing poetry was something that started as a way to get feelings out on paper and it has evolved to what it is now: a career.
He has some big plans for his new role and how to spread the mission of 7DS.
“To be honest, I never imagined poetry would take me this far. I started with a pen, a voice and a need to tell stories,” Bowens said. “Along the way, poetry has taken me to stages with the Kennedy Center, Poetry Foundation, PBS, NPR, All Def Poetry and communities across the country. Becoming a Poet Laureate is a reminder that the work, the words and the purpose behind them truly matter…I envision this role taking me deeper into the work I've already committed my life to; using poetry as a tool for connection, healing and change. I want to take this role into schools, communities, and spaces where voices need to be heard. My goal is to build bridges, inspire the next generation of writers, and show that poetry belongs everywhere,” Bowens explained.
7 Directions of Service honored Bowens with an official ceremony on Aug. 14 at the Sip Room in Downtown Fayetteville in a room full of organizational leaders, family, friends and fellow artists.
The calendar is filling up fast for Bowens in the last quarter of the year, with several upcoming poetry events (he can’t speak on them yet) and collaborations with National organizations. There are no signs that he will be slowing down anytime soon.
To learn more about how to become involved with 7 Directions of Service, find them online at https://7directionsofservice.com/
To stay up-to-date on all things LeJuane “El'Ja” Bowens, make sure to follow him on social media at https://www.facebook.com/elja7.
(Photo: LeJuane El'Ja Bowens' poetry career spans multiple states and even a Ted Talk. He has been recognized as 7 Directions of Service's Poet Laureate. Photos courtesy of LeJuane Bowens)
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