Hackensack Appoints Toney Jackson as City's First Poet Laureate

The City of Hackensack has appointed educator and spoken word artist Toney Jackson as its first-ever Poet Laureate, the Mayor and City Council announced.

The appointment, which was approved by unanimous vote, recognizes Jackson’s decades of artistic leadership and dedication to uplifting the community through the arts.

Jackson is a veteran educator, author, and spoken word artist who has long been a fixture in Hackensack’s cultural life. As Poet Laureate, he will serve as a public ambassador for poetry and the literary arts, participating in civic events and promoting creative expression across the city.

“This appointment recognizes decades of artistic leadership and a lifelong dedication to uplifting the community through the arts,” city officials said in a statement.

The Poet Laureate position is a ceremonial role that has been adopted by municipalities across the country to elevate the role of poetry in public life.

Hackensack joins a growing list of New Jersey cities that have established the position, including Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson.