20 Moments of Importance in African American Poetry, 2002-2012

2002 - Tracy K. Smith's volume The Body's Question was selected by Kevin Young as the recipient of the Cave Canem Prize for a first book of poetry.

2004 - Tyehimba Jess's Leadbelly: poems (2005) is selected by Brigit Pegeen Kelly as a National Poetry Series Winner.

2004 - The Second Furious Flower Poetry conference, a large gathering of poets and literary scholars organized by Joanne Gabbin, takes place at James Madison University in Virgina from September 22 - September 25.

2005 - Patricia Smith's Teahouse of the Almighty (2006) is selected by Edward Sanders as a National Poetry Series Winner.

2006 - Nathaniel Mackey wins the National Book Award for Poetry for his volume Splay Anthem.

2007 - Lucille Clifton awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.

2007 - Elizabeth Alexander becomes first-ever recipient of Poets & Writers’ Jackson Poetry Prize.

2007 - Natasha Trethewey wins the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her volume Native Guard (2006).

2008 - Michael S. Harper is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2008 - Douglas Kearney's The Black Automaton (2009) is selected by Catherine Wagner as a National Poetry Series Winner.

2008 - Adrian Matejka's Mixology (2009) is selected by Kevin Young as a National Poetry Series Winner.

2009 - Elizabeth Alexander reads "Praise Song for the Day" at inauguration of Barack Obama.

2010 - Terrance Hayes wins National Book Award for Poetry for his volume Lighthead.  

2010 - Lucille Clifton is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2010 -  "73 Poems for 73 Years: Celebrating the Life of Lucille Clifton" held at James Madison University on September 21.  

2011 - Nikky Finney wins National Book Award for Poetry for her volume Head Off & Split.

2011 - Sonia Sanchez appointed Poet Laureate of Philadelphia.

2011 - The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry, edited by Rita Dove, is published. Helen Vendler's critique of editorial work and Dove's subsequent response to Vendler led to extensive coverage of the anthology. 

2012 - Marilyn Nelson is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2012 - Tracy K. Smith wins the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her volume Life on Mars.

Related: Notes on Blogging a Chronology of African American Poetry