Pulitzer Finalist Opens 2025–26 Writers Series

Danez Smith Leads Off Literary Lineup

Danez Smith (Photo Courtesy of Clark College, Vancouver, WA)

The Clark College Columbia Writers Series will begin its 2025-26 season with poet Danez Smith, author of Don’t Call Us Dead, Homie, and most recently, Bluff, which was a finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize. This event, which is free and open to the public, will start at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 13 in Gaiser Hall 213 on Clark College’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.

Smith’s work explores themes of race, identity, mortality, and social justice through unconventional forms of poetry that blend lyrical intensity with influences from slam and spoken word. They are also the curator of Blues in Stereo: The Early Works of Langston Hughes. 

Their accolades include the Forward Prize for Best Collection, the Minnesota Book Award in Poetry, the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry, and the Kate Tufts Discovery Award. Smith has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation, and has been featured by The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Best American Poetry, PBS NewsHour, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Smith earned their Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan and currently teaches at the Randolph College MFA program and the Black Youth Healing Arts Center in St. Paul. They live in Minneapolis.

Event details 

Time: Thursday, November 13, 11 a.m. – noon

Location: Gaiser Hall 213, Clark College main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98683

Parking: Green or Red lots—view online map and directions here.

Accommodations: If you need an accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, please contact: Clark College’s Human Resources Office. Phone: 360-992-2105 or email: hr@clark.edu