Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Angelo Geter is an award-winning poet, teaching artist and Poet Laureate Emeritus of Rock Hill, SC. His work touches on a variety of issues including social justice, race, grief, character and manhood. Geter is a 2020 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, National Poetry Slam champion, Rustbelt Regional Slam finalist, and Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam finalist. Geter is also the Founder and Director of the One Word Poetry Festival, a multi-day festival that celebrates poetry through readings, workshops, competitions and presentations from local, regional and national artists/writers.

In addition to his own work, Geter serves in numerous capacities. He is a co-editor for the Kakalak Poetry & Art Anthology, serves on the Board of Directors for The Watering Hole poetry organization, board member for the Arts Council of York County, and serves on the Board of Governors for the South Carolina Academy of Authors.

His critically acclaimed debut poetry collection More God Than Dead, was released through Muddy Ford Press in 2022. His work has appeared on All Def Poetry, Button Poetry, the Academy of American Poets “Poem a Day” series, Thoughts on the Power of Goodness Anthology, and This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets, among others.

Artistic Statement

As a poet, my mission is engrained with a deep commitment to fostering literacy, nurturing mental health awareness, and celebrating the boundless avenues of self-expression for youth and adults. Through writing and performance workshops, mentorship initiatives, event curation and performances, I endeavor to cultivate a community where words become vessels of empowerment and healing.

Central to my work is a steadfast advocacy and awareness for mental health, grief, and resilience, while also celebrating the joys and mysteries of the world around us. I believe that through poetry we confront the complexities of human emotions, offer a safe place to explore our inner thoughts, and provide a road map for the future.

In addition to the actual poems, I believe in using my voice and art to uplift others and unlock the power of language to transcend boundaries and ignite imaginations. In workshops, teaching residencies and mentorship programs, I guide participants in harnessing their voices, equipping them with the tools to articulate their stories and perspectives with clarity and confidence. This not only encourages literacy, but it builds community and leaves a legacy for current and future writers to follow and continue.

Ultimately, my work as an artist is to showcase the transformative power of language. It is my privilege and passion to engage with communities, both locally and globally, using poetry as a catalyst for positive change. Through collective creativity and shared experiences, I strive to build a more inclusive and empathetic world, one poem at a time.