For the first time in its history, Richmond will have not one but two poets speaking for the city.
Mayor Danny Avula announced this week that Maurice “Moeflowz” Brown and Rosa Castellano will serve as Richmond’s next Poet Laureates, a decision that doubles the position and signals a broader vision of whose voices represent the capital city. The dual appointment breaks from tradition in a role that has, since its creation, belonged to a single writer at a time.
Brown, a Richmond native, has built his reputation at the intersection of hip-hop and spoken word, performing at venues across the city and mentoring young artists through local workshops. His work draws heavily from his experiences growing up in Richmond’s East End, weaving together the rhythms of the neighborhood with sharp social commentary. Castellano brings a different texture entirely — a bilingual poet whose Spanish-English verse has given voice to Richmond’s growing Latino community, particularly in neighborhoods like South Richmond where Spanish fills storefronts and church halls alike.
The Poet Laureate position, while largely ceremonial, carries real weight in how Richmond presents itself. Laureates are expected to compose works for civic occasions, lead public readings, and serve as ambassadors for literature in a city that has increasingly branded itself as a cultural destination. Previous laureates have read at City Council meetings, composed pieces for monument dedications, and appeared at schools across the region.
The decision to split the role reflects both practical and symbolic calculations. Richmond’s population has grown more diverse over the past two decades, with the Latino community now representing nearly seven percent of residents — a figure that understates the cultural presence in certain neighborhoods. By appointing Castellano alongside Brown, the Avula administration acknowledges that no single voice can capture a city of 230,000 people speaking multiple languages, spanning multiple traditions.
There is also the matter of audience. Brown’s hip-hop roots connect him to younger residents and to Richmond’s thriving music scene, while Castellano’s bilingual work reaches communities that have historically seen little of themselves in official civic culture. Together, they represent a city that is both historically Black and increasingly immigrant, both Southern and something harder to categorize.
The terms of the dual appointment — including compensation, if any, and specific duties — have not been detailed. Previous laureates have served two-year terms.
What remains to be seen is whether this expansion represents a permanent shift in how Richmond thinks about the role, or a one-time experiment. Either way, the city’s official poetry now speaks in more than one voice.
- Maurice ‘Moeflowz’ Brown and Rosa Castellano will serve as Richmond’s Poet Laureates simultaneously
- This marks the first time Richmond has appointed two Poet Laureates at once
- Brown is known for hip-hop and spoken word; Castellano writes bilingual Spanish-English poetry