Poet Laureate of Jamaica (2025–2028), Kwame Dawes is the author of numerous books of poetry, fiction, criticism, and essays. His most recent collection is Sturge Town (Peepal Tree). Professor of Literary Arts at Brown University, he teaches in the Pacific MFA Program and is the series editor of the African Poetry Book Series, director of the African Poetry Book Fund, and artistic director of the Calabash International Literary Festival. Winner of the Windham/Campbell Award for Poetry, Dawes was awarded the 2022 Order of Distinction Commander class by the Government of Jamaica.