Antonio De Jesús López Appointed San Mateo County Poet Laureate

On April 8, 2025, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors appointed Antonio De Jesús López as the county's fifth Poet Laureate, entrusting him with a two-year term dedicated to promoting poetry and the spoken word throughout the region. (source)

López, 30, is a distinguished poet and former East Palo Alto City Council member. His 2021 poetry collection, "Gentefication," received critical acclaim, and his works have been featured in publications such as PEN/America, The New Republic, and Tin House. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Modern Thought and Literature at Stanford University. (source)

Reflecting on his upbringing in East Palo Alto, López stated, "I was immersed in Spanish and Spanglish, which shaped my understanding of English as something malleable — like gum, stretching and adhering, collecting the 'lint' of other tongues." (source)

The Poet Laureate position, established by the Board of Supervisors in 2013, aims to elevate and celebrate the literary arts and their roles in public life. López succeeds Jorge Argueta, who served as the county's fourth Poet Laureate from 2022 to 2024. (source)

In his new role, López plans to encourage community members to share their narratives through poetry. He emphasized, "I want people to really feel encouraged to write their story. That’s how we make a difference; we break down barriers in the country by sharing narratives." (source)

López's appointment highlights the county's commitment to fostering the arts and underscores the vital role of poetry in promoting community dialogue and understanding.