After serving as the second Poet Laureate of the City of Columbia since 2023, Jennifer Bartell Boykin has announced she will not seek a second term, meaning Soda City is on the hunt for its next esteemed writer.
As the second Poet Laureate of the City of Columbia, Boykin founded the Soda City Poetry Festival, which hosted poetry workshops, readings, and poetic conversations for the city. Additionally, she penned the poem “Finally Finlay” for the grand opening of Finlay Park in 2025 and has taught poetry workshops through the city and the state.
“Poetry saved my life and has brought me so much joy and connection,” Boykin said. “I have enjoyed sharing poetry with the city these past four years.”…