For Immediate Release
Wilmington, DE (March 21, 2017) – Identical twins Al Mills and Nnamdi Chukwuocha are social workers, award-winning spoken word poets, and community activists. They were appointed as the Delaware Poets Laureate by former Governor Jack Markell in December 2015. The appointment marks the first time in the history of the position that it will have co-laureates, and the first time in history of the U.S. state poets laureate that such a position will be shared by siblings.

The new video “Art for Life” features the Poets’ most recent work to introduce poetry and the spoken word to a wider audience including veterans and incarcerated young adults. Chukwuocha says, “’Art for Life’… [is] about that commitment to making a difference. To showing our children that (their) lives can be better.”

April is National Poetry Month and the Delaware Poets Laureate have numerous events during this time. Below is a select* list of upcoming events that are open to the public. To learn more or to schedule a visit with the Delaware Poets Laureate, please visit: http://artsdel.org/poetlaureate/

Delaware Poets Laureate
Upcoming April Events and Programs

WHAT: Poetry Month Rhythm, Rhyme Story Time
WHERE: Bear Library, 101 Governors Place, Bear, DE 19701
WHEN: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
MORE INFO: Free

WHAT: Workshop and Reading with the Twin Poets
WHERE: Woodlawn Library, 2020 West 9th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805
WHEN: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 7 – 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Free

WHAT: Inspiration Storytelling and Spoken Word Festival
WHERE: The Art Studio, Absalom Jones Community Center, 320 Kiamensi Road, Wilmington, DE 19804
WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 11 – 11:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Free

WHAT: Listen Up! Spoken Word Celebration
WHERE: The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901
WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 1 – 3 p.m.
MORE INFO: Free, sponsored by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and the Delaware Division of the Arts

WHAT: Outbound Poetry Festival Pop Up Reading
WHERE: 30th Street Station, 30th & Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104
WHEN: Monday, April 10, 2017; the Poets will read at 4:52 p.m.
MORE INFO: Free

Cancelled due to family emergency.

WHAT: An Evening with the Twin Poets
WHERE: Brandywine Hundred Library, 1300 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
WHEN: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Free

WHAT: A Visit with the Twin Poets
WHERE: Kent County Library, 497 S Red Haven Lane, Dover, DE 19901
WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 2 – 3 p.m.
MORE INFO: Free

WHAT: An Evening of Poetry
WHERE: Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library, 115 High Street, Odessa, DE, 19730
WHEN: Monday, April 24, 2017 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Free

WHAT: National Poetry Month Preschool Storytime
WHERE: Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library, 115 High Street, Odessa, DE, 19730
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 11 – 11:45 a.m.
MORE INFO: Free

*This is not a comprehensive list of all events that the Delaware Poets Laureate will attend/be present at in April. This list is intended for the general public, and does not include appearances at conferences and schools.
About the Poet Laureate Program

Delaware’s Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Poet Laureate serves as an advocate, educator, and presenter of poetry throughout the state. Activities for this position have included:

• Promoting the importance of poetry and the literary arts as part of Delaware’s cultural heritage
• Speaking at such official state functions as the opening of state legislative sessions, the Governor’s Awards for the Arts, conferences, and public ceremonies
• Presenting readings and poetry discussions in educational settings and community events across the state
• Developing poetry programming and presentation opportunities in collaboration with the Division of the Arts to support the Division’s program goals

The Delaware Division of the Arts promotes the Poet Laureate’s events and activities and manages the Poet Laureate’s calendar of appearances. The Division also provides a stipend to the Poet Laureate for appearances at nonprofit organizations.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing, 302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

Dover –The Delaware Public Archives will celebrate African-American History Month with guests Governor John Carney and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester on Monday, February 13.

The Archives will also unveil an expansion of its Delaware Votes exhibit, chronicling the contributions of Delaware’s African American elected officials.

At the ceremony, Governor Carney will issue the state’s annual proclamation officially naming February as African-American History Month. Congresswoman Blunt Rochester, Delaware’s first woman and first African-American elected to represent the state in Congress, will offer remarks.

• What: African-American History Month
• Who: Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester; Governor John Carney; State Archivist Stephen Marz; Tina Betz, Executive Director, Light Up the Queen; Star Hill Elementary School Students
• When: Monday, February 13, 2017, 10 a.m.
• Where: Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, North, Dover,
  Delaware 19901

El sábado 7 de enero de 2017 a las 10:30 a.m., Bill Hutchison de la Fundación Kalmar Nyckel tendrá una presentación en los Archivos Públicos de Delaware enfocada en la operación y navegación de la embarcación Kalmar Nyckel y el uso de sus armas.

Se presentarán segmentos de la nueva filmación sobre el barco que revela cómo se llevaron a cabo todas estas operaciones. El Kalmar Nyckel arribó a América en 1638 desde Suecia y los colonos abordo fundaron la colonia de New Sweden en Delaware. Este fue el primer asentamiento europeo establecido en el estado de Delaware y en el área que se convertiría en la Ciudad de Wilmington. La presentación incluirá un nuevo documental, recientemente encontrado, que evidencia el destino del Kalmar Nyckel.

Bill Hutchison, Educador Líder Emérito para la Fundación Kalmar Nyckel, ha servido como miembro voluntario de la tripulación desde 2003. Educador retirado, Hutchinson fue maestro de estudios sociales y administrador en el Distrito Escolar Capital por 35 años y seleccionado como Maestro del Año en 1989. Hutchinson también fue profesor en la Universidad Estatal de Delaware (Delaware State University), Universidad de Wilmington (Wilmington University) y en la Universidad de Delaware (University of Delaware). Como veterano de Vietnam y residente de Delaware por mucho tiempo, Hutchinson recibió su licenciatura en historia de la Universidad de Salisbury y tiene una maestría en educación de la Universidad de Delaware.

Esta presentación es gratis y totalmente en inglés con una duración aproximada de una hora. No se requieren reservaciones. Para más información sobre esta presentación contacte a Tammy Stock (302) 744-5038 o por correo electrónico a tamara.stock@delaware.gov.

Los Archivos de Delaware (DPA por su nombre en inglés, archives.delaware.gov), es una agencia del Estado de Delaware y es uno de los programas de archivo más antiguos en los Estados Unidos. DPA sirve a los residentes de Delaware identificando, coleccionando y preservando los registros públicos de evidente valor histórico; asegurando el acceso a los registros públicos para las generaciones presentes y futuras; y educando a los interesados en la creación, manejo, uso y preservación de los registros públicos.

On Saturday, January 7, at 10:30 a.m. Bill Hutchison of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation will present a program at the Delaware Public Archives focusing on how the Kalmar Nyckel operated, with special emphasis on the navigation of the vessel, and the firing of the ship’s guns. Segments of a new film about the ship will be shown to reveal how these tasks were carried out. The Kalmar Nyckel arrived in America in 1638 from Sweden and the settlers aboard founded the colony of New Sweden on the Delaware. This was the first permanent European settlement established in the State of Delaware and in the area that would become the City of Wilmington. New documentary evidence has recently been uncovered about the fate of the Kalmar Nyckel which will be presented at the program.

Bill Hutchison, Lead Educator Emeritus for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, has served as a volunteer crew member since 2003. A retired educator, Hutchison was a social studies teacher and administrator in the Capital School District for 35 years. He was the district’s Teacher of the Year in 1989. In addition, Hutchison has been an instructor at Delaware State University, Wilmington University, and the University of Delaware. A Vietnam Veteran and life-long resident of Delaware, Hutchison received his BA in history from Salisbury University and his MA in education from the University of Delaware.

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Kevin Barni (302) 744-5015 or e-mail Kevin.Barni@delaware.gov.

Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

Students from across the state gathered Saturday at the Delaware Public Archives to celebrate the winners of the 15th Annual Delaware Day Fourth Grade Competition and to be recognized for their knowledge of the First State’s influential role in crafting the United States Constitution.

Students were given two months to prepare an informative four-panel display on Delaware’s role in the creation and ratification of the Constitution, integrating creative elements such as artwork, poetry, songs and cartoons. Representatives from the Department of State judged 23 projects focusing on three main areas: historical accuracy, spelling and creativity.

Each year, awards are given to schools with the most creative and historically accurate projects.
Named in honor of Delaware’s five signers of the U. S. Constitution, the awards recognize schools in each county plus the city of Wilmington as well as a private school. Honorable mention awards were given to 13 schools for their participation. A total of 21 schools participated in this year’s competition.

The Delaware Division of the Arts and the Newark Arts Alliance also evaluated the projects and presented Artistic Merit Awards to Bunker Hill Elementary School, Epworth Christian School, Gallaher Elementary School, Learning Express Academy, and North Dover Elementary School. These awards recognized students’ use of visual art as well as design and composition.

“Delaware Day is our time to celebrate just how important our state was in the early days of the nation,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “As always, the projects our fourth graders presented were outstanding tributes to this legacy, and I congratulate them for their efforts and the time they devoted to learning about the history of the First State.”

The winners of the 2016 Delaware Day Fourth Grade Competition are:

• George Read Award – Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington)
• Gunning Bedford, Jr. Award – [Tie] Bunker Hill Elementary School (Appoquinimink School District) and Gallaher Elementary School (Christina School District)
• John Dickinson Award – [Tie] North Dover Elementary School (Capital School District) and Lake Forest Central Elementary School – Project #2 (Lake Forest School District)
• Richard Bassett Award – [Tie] North Laurel Elementary School – Two Projects (Laurel School District)
• Jacob Broom Award – Learning Express Academy (Newark)

For more information, visit the Annual Delaware Day Competition website.