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PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Chip Williford of Mastic Beach was named Suffolk County Poet Laureate for the 2025-2027 term effective June 1, 2025. Suffolk County has had a Poet Laureate since 2003. Williford succeeds Deborah Hauser and will be the county’s 12th Poet Laureate.
This appointment is a very exciting moment for Williford whose earlier published poem “The Beast” premises battling his childhood speech impediment was used as an opening to a Spotlight Segment at Suffolk County Community College where he graduated with highest distinction earning a degree in Radio and Television Productions in 2014, while serving as Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Vice President of Service. Now he is enjoying a full circle moment as he is a NAACP Eastern Long Island Branch Executive Board Member and Scholarship Chairman, initiating the NAACP-SCCC endowment scholarship, which is currently accepting funding.
Chip holds a Certificate in Theology from I.T.C. and is a Facilitator for Multicultural Solidarity Long Island for race related conversations.
Since 2014, Chip has been active at Poetry Street, “the room without a roof where every voice is heard”, which was founded in 2013 by Susan Dingle and Robert A.“Bubbie” Brown, an open mic hybrid with featured poets, occurring at The Riverhead Free Public Library and on Zoom 2pm-4pm (EST) on the last Saturday of each month. Using his production and technical skills to enhance the experience, Chip produced a film “Poetry Street On The Road,” which featured 16 local poets.
In 2019 Chip became Director of Poetry Street and cohosts the venue alongside Emmy recipient and award-winning author, Maggie Bloomfield, with the help of “The Queen of Zoomland,” Clare Marie Lungberg.
Chip’s writing is eclectic, reflecting mostly from personal experiences, non-judgmental persona, empathetic point of views, fictional, interesting, and provocative topics. He also writes about circumstances specific to a prompt or importantissues like injustice, racism and humanity.
He is also a Local Gem Bards member, Poetry X Hunger contributor, Northport Arts Coalition member and Northport Arts Poetry Path Exhibit Sponsor.
Williford appeared before the Suffolk County Legislature on February 26, 2025, to have the resolution designating him as Laureate approved. He read “Thought of a Mongoose” a metaphorical poem with the premise of gossip. The position of Suffolk County Poet Laureate will give him the opportunity to promote poetry and support poets in throughout the county.
Chip lives in Mastic Beach with his spouse John James. His upcoming featured appearances and readings include The Oceanside Library Gazebo Reading on June 16, Poetry In Motion II Filming - June 18, Suffolk Youth Poetry Competition on June 21st, The Scene’s Two-Year Anniversary Banquet on June 22, The, Green Space on July 1st, Dog-Eared Book Store on August 1st, and on August 16th at CEED’s Sculpture on The Trail.
On Sunday June 29th at 4 pm Walt Whitman Birthplace Association , located at 246 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington, NY will host a traditional celebration “The Passing of The Twig” ceremony and reading by Williford...the event is free and open to the public.
Donations Appreciated: paypal.me/chipwilliford $ChipWilliford. Zelle - Chip Williford
Williford is writing his first book of poetry, and prose “My Voice Is Loudest When I Write”, which will be available later this year. Pre-sale orders accepted.
www.chipwilliford.com www.poetrystreetontheroad.com
For event bookings: chipwillifordpoetlaureate@gmail.com
