THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 6.

Stevenson University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and the English Department are sponsoring Baltimore’s first youth poet laureate who will visit Stevenson University later in early April.

Kipp Colvin, assistant vice president of Student Activities, said that Derick Ebert, a current sophomore English major at the University of Baltimore, will perform his poetry and conduct a workshop in the Black Box (Studio) Theatre at Stevenson on April 6 from noon until 1:15.

Ebert is the author of a recently published book titled “Black Boy: Archeologist.”

Colvin said that the university is honored to have Ebert on campus for the event and believes that the poet will create an intimate and creative space.

According to University of Baltimore magazine, Ebert earned the title of Baltimore’s first youth poet laureate after winning a competition sponsored by Baltimore’s Mayor’s office, the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the nonprofit Dew More Baltimore. Ebert won a cash prize of $1,500 and the chance to have his poetry published in a book, according to The Baltimore Sun.

In Ebert’s interview with What Weekly, he revealed that he had been writing poetry only for two years and that the poet Steven Leyva encouraged his writing. Ebert credits his mentors, including Slangston Hughes, a Baltimore poet, and Ken Brown, who runs Red Emma’s “Mother Earth Poetry Vibe.”

The University of Baltimore magazine’s feature on Ebert said that he hopes to become a teacher of literature or creative writing where he can inspire the next generation of writers.

In speaking with The Baltimore Sun, the poet said that he wants to use his position to examine social issues, masculinity and the challenge that young people face with identity.

According to What Weekly, Ebert has performed at many places including City Hall, MICA, Morgan State, University of Baltimore, the American Visionary Arts Museum, Johns Hopkins University, high school classrooms and several libraries.

Ebert’s position of Baltimore’s youth poet laureate was created by Dew More Baltimore to mirror of the youth poet laureates of New York. Ebert said to What Weekly that he would like to emulate New York’s success in the arts.