Jan. 12, 2026 — Redmond, Wash. The City Council approved Nancy Mburu as the city’s ninth Poet Laureate for the 2026-2027 term following an open application process and interviews, the City of Redmond announced Monday.
Mburu, a Seattle-based performing poet and author born in Kenya, was selected by a panel including a former State Poet Laureate, a former Redmond Poet Laureate, and the Arts & Culture Commissioner.
The panel advanced her from three finalists, and she was interviewed virtually by the Mayor and Council on September 9, 2025, with approval placed on the council’s consent agenda, according to meeting documents and a council summary.
Her work explores themes of the Black diaspora, immigration, culture, language, gender, and race, often incorporating Swahili and storytelling.
Mburu holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington Tacoma campus and has received fellowships from Hugo House, Jack Straw Cultural Center, and Mineral School. Professionally, she serves as a communications strategist at the Washington State Office of Equity, focusing on equity, union organizing, and amplifying immigrant voices.
“Poetry has the power to foster connections, evoke emotion, and amplify community voices. We are delighted to welcome Nancy Mburu as Redmond’s ninth Poet Laureate…”
— Mayor Angela Birney
In her application, Mburu outlined plans to integrate poetry into public spaces, parks, and libraries, emphasizing diversity and belonging.
Redmond’s Poet Laureate program, established in 2008, promotes poetry through commissions, events, workshops, and installations. Upcoming events featuring Mburu are scheduled for spring 2026.
