Caddo Parish Poet Laureate named
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Caddo Parish Commission has named its next Caddo Parish Poet Laureate.
Caddo Parish Commissioners selected Crystalyn Whitaker-Nelson, a Caddo Parish native, former English and history teacher, lyricist, and vocalist in the locally acclaimed music group, Tipseythe Band, as their next 2025-2028 poet laureate.
The Parish of Caddo says Whitaker-Nelson will be responsible for highlighting the local community and engaging young citizens in finding their own poetic voices through local events, such as Artbreak, poetry readings, and more.
Poetic X: GRAMMY category victory poets; and upcoming poetry festival
Crystalyn Whitaker-Nelson's awards and titles:
Juried roster of literary artists for SRAC;
featured works The Colored Port Saga: Colored FaithWalk;
and numerous awards, including the National Leaders of Color fellowship,
The 2023 Kallenberg Artist Tower Residency,
The 2022 National Endowment for the Arts subgrant recipient;
and the 2021 SRAC Literary Fellowship.
Whitaker-Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern State University and a Master of Science in Education from Louisiana State University at Shreveport, says the Parish of Caddo.
'I am honored to be selected as the Caddo Parish poet laureate,and there is no place I know better than Caddo Parish,' said Whitaker-Nelson. 'This position is a profound culmination that allows me the platform to infuse youth and adults with tangible art that is meaningful to all, and I look forward to orchestrating poetry experiences in our communities that need the spirit that only creativity can yield,' said Whitaker-Nelson.
Poet Laureate Whitaker-Nelson will receive an annual honorarium stipend of $1,500 provided by the Caddo Parish Commission over her three-year term.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift's Reputation re-enters Top 5 of Billboard chart
Taylor Swift's Reputation album has re-entered the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 chart after she bought back her masters. The pop megastar recently made a landmark $360 million deal to reclaim the rights to her original master recordings of her first six studio albums. Since the, Swifties have been streaming the 2017 record like crazy, leading to a 1,184 per cent spike in sales in a week, per music data tracker Luminate. The majority of sales are from streaming with an increase of 125 per cent, to 34.75 million on-demand streams. The 14-time Grammy winner shared the news of the sale via a message posted to her official website. She wrote: 'I'm trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent, but right now my mind is just a slideshow." Taylor added: 'A flashback sequence of all the time I daydreamed about, wished for, and pined away for a chance to get to tell this news. 'I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. But that's all in the past now. I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found that this is really happening. I really get to say those words. All of the music I've ever made … now belongs… to me.' The 35-year-old singer specified the rights she now owns include her music videos, concert films, unreleased tracks, album art and photography. She also referred to the collection as encompassing 'the memories, the magic, the madness, every single era, (her) entire life's work." In 2019, music executive Scooter Braun acquired the masters of Taylor's early discography — Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation — for $300 million, a move the artist publicly criticised, claiming she was not given the opportunity to purchase them herself. The rights were later sold to the investment firm Shamrock Capital. Taylor began re-recording the albums under her own ownership after signing a deal with Universal Music Group and Republic Records in 2018 before doing her new ownership deal.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Dua Lipa's lookalike sister goes viral: ‘There's another one?'
Pop singer Dua Lipa's younger sister, Rina Lipa, is going viral because she looks just like her famous sister. In a Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff turn of events, Dua's younger sister, Rina, 24, has been making the rounds on X. Advertisement A particular photo of the two sisters posing in matching black bikinis has amassed over nine million views. The family resemblance is striking, and fans have been shocked to discover that the 29-year-old 'Training Season' singer has a lookalike sister. 'There's another one!' Someone wrote. 4 Fans were shocked to discover that Dua Lipa's younger sister, Rina Lipa, looked just like the singer. @dualipa/Instagram Advertisement 'Oh my god there are two of them,' another said. 'So gorgeous,' someone else commented. 'Rina and Dua are identical. What!' one exclaimed. Rina isn't a singer but she's not working a 9-5 job either. Advertisement The 24-year-old is a model and actress with over 800,000 Instagram followers and she's known for hanging out with her pop star sister. 4 The sisters are five years apart. @rinalipa/Instagram She's often seen on vacation with her sibling, she's clearly into fashion and posts various photos showing off her fun outfits, eating at fancy restaurants and hanging out at trendy music events. The pair are five years apart but clearly very close. Advertisement Dua recently posted a gushing tribute to her younger sister on Instagram for her birthday, describing her as a 'built-in best friend' who is the life of every party. 4 Rina is a model and actress with over 800,000 Instagram followers. @rinalipa/Instagram 'I honestly don't know how I got so lucky to have you in my life. Wherever you go, you light up the room and everyone in it. 'You wild, hilarious, smart, brilliant, kind, sweet, full of life little thing!!! It seems like a party follows wherever you are,' she wrote. Similarly, Rina posted a sweet post on Instagram in celebration of Dua's birthday. 'Thank you for being my sister and best friend all in one! 4 The 'Houdini' singer described her younger sister as a 'built-in best friend.' @rinalipa/Instagram 'Every part of you simply amazes me and I couldn't be prouder to be your sissy! Love you,' she wrote. Advertisement While not much else is known about the younger sister, Dua has always been very upfront about being close to her family. Her parents have been together since the early 90s, and father Dukagjin Lipa is her manager. She previously told The Guardian that she got her work ethic from her parents. 'I've seen my parents work every day of my life,' she said. Advertisement 'A big part of who I am has been watching my parents learn to adapt in different places, in different circumstances … And my dad would always tell me: 'You have to work really, really hard, just to have a tiny bit of luck.' The Houdini singer is engaged to English actor Callum Turner, confirming engagement rumours with an Instagram post back in February sporting a giant sparkler on her left ring finger.
Tom's Guide
6 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 top new shows to stream this week on Netflix, Hulu and more (June 9-15)
Summer TV keeps the good stuff coming with new shows premiering on Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services, as well as on broadcast and cable TV. This week, Arnold Schwarzenegger's "FUBAR" returns for a high-stakes second season packed with espionage and humor. For fans of Alex Cooper's podcast "Call Her Daddy," the docuseries "Call Her Alex" offers an intimate look at her rise to stardom. Meanwhile, "Granchester" season 10 invites you back to the cozy English village for another round of charm and mystery. Here are our top picks for new TV shows to watch this week. What happens when a college athlete loses everything — then grabs a mic and rewrites the rules? This two-part docuseries digs into Alex Cooper's rollercoaster rise from small-town kid to the force behind 'Call Her Daddy,' one of the biggest podcasts in the world. The doc doesn't shy away from the drama. Yes, Sofia's exit is in there, and Dave Portnoy shows up at some point. But it's also got heart: childhood clips, tour prep, real talk. Cooper isn't just telling her story; she's owning it. Whether you've been with her since the Barstool days or you're just pod-curious, this one's worth watching. All episodes premiere Tuesday, June 10 at 12 a.m. ET on Hulu "RHOM' is back to turn up the heat, just in time for summer. Season 7 finds Alexia reeling from a surprise divorce, Marysol planning a wedding, Lisa living her best Milan runway life and Larsa navigating singlehood. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Meanwhile, Guerdy is cancer-free but not drama-free, Julia's juggling babies and opera, and newcomer Stephanie Shojaee struts in with Birkins and zero chill. It's hot, it's chaotic and it's Miami, so 'Housewives' stans should buckle up. Episode 1 premieres Wednesday, June 11 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo (via Sling or Fubo) or next day on Peacock Arnold is back, baby — and this time, he's bringing Carrie-Anne Moss. 'FUBAR' season 2 cranks up the action as Luke Brunner faces off with an old flame who might end the world … or ruin his life. Luke and daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) get deeper into the spy game and the mess is even bigger this time — emotionally and explosively. Add in Moss, who trades blows and barbs with Schwarzenegger like she's been doing it for years. The new episodes land right in time for Father's Day. Dad TV for the win. All episodes premiere Thursday, June 12 at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix What if your soulmate turned out to be a scammer? This two-part docuseries exposes the deeply unsettling story of Heather Rovet, a Toronto real estate broker who thought she'd found 'the one.' For three years, her life with Jace felt like a dream … until she discovered he was actually Jason Porter, a career con artist with a history of duping women. What follows isn't just a jaw-dropping unraveling of lies; it's Heather flipping the script, tracking down other victims and refusing to stay silent. Her story is more terrifying than any dating app horror story you've heard. All episodes premiere Friday, June 13 at 3 a.m. ET on Prime Video Life in Grantchester village is anything but quiet in season 10. Alphy Kottaram (Rishi Nair) has finally found his footing, but his past still casts a long shadow. Detective Geordie Keating (Robson Green) is juggling the ups and downs of fatherhood, while Cathy (Kacey Ainsworth) is stepping up her game with some help from Mrs. Chapman. Just when Easter celebrations get underway, a suspicious death shakes things up, pulling everyone into a new mystery. Episode 1 premieres Sunday, June 15 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS
