Irene Latham is an award-winning poet, author, and educator from Birmingham, Alabama. She is the author of five books of poetry, including Leaving Saturn, which won the 2002 Cave Canem Poetry Prize, and Don't Forget and If You Come Softly, which were both finalists for the National Book Award. She has also written several children's books, including The Sound That Jazz Makes and The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll. Irene is passionate about teaching and has taught creative writing at the University of Alabama, Birmingham-Southern College, and the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She is also a frequent guest lecturer at universities and conferences around the country. Irene is a passionate advocate for the power of poetry and literature to transform lives. She believes that poetry can be a powerful tool for self-expression and healing, and she encourages her students to explore their own creative potential. She is also a strong advocate for diversity in literature, and she works to ensure that all voices are heard and respected. Irene is an inspiring figure in the literary world, and her work has been widely praised. She is a recipient of the Alabama State Council on the Arts Fellowship, the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund Grant, and the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Paris Review, and Poetry Magazine.