The People’s Poet

Wakefield Brewster

“As we move forward in this age of information and sharing stories, poetry is more and more becoming known and employed as a method of harnessing humanity, curating connection, and evoking empathy.”

— Wakefield Brewster after being appointed as Calgary's 6th Poet Laureate

Wakefield Brewster with Mayor Jyoti Gondek at Calgary City Hall Photo by Aaron Chatha

As one of Canada’s most prolific poets, Wakefield Brewster's work has captivated people’s hearts for years.

In 2022 he was appointed Calgary’s 6th Poet Laureate, the Calgary Poet Laureate produces literary work that is reflective of Calgary’s landscape, cityscape, and civic identity and that may raise awareness of local issues.

Professional Poetic Interpreter™

2006: Calgary’s 1st City Slam Poetry Champion

Calgary’s only 3-Time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion &; Team Captain; 2006, 2008, 2009

2011: Inaugural Poet Of Honour, People’s Poetry Festival.

2019: appointed as the very First Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta. The significance of this honour is the timing, as it came to pass while The Grand was recovering from well-publicized toxic workplace issues and a historic lack of diversity and inclusion

Former Board of Directors of the E.A.R. Society – Emergency Artist’s Relief Society, providing emergency relief funding and affordable Health Care for Artists.

Peter Gzowski Foundation For Literacy Calgary Poet Laureate, 2021

2021: Wakefield joined The League Of Canadian Poets in order to become a more integral part of Canada’s Literary scene, while representing the standards of Diversity and Representation.

2023: Appointed TD INCUBATOR Fellow for the 2023-2024 Season, Mentoring over 30 Up-And-Coming Calgary Artists from all disciplines.

ARC: Adult Recreational Choir

S2 Architecture 

Fever Marketing

CEBL; Canadian Elite Basketball League

Calgary Surge of the CEBL

Centre For Newcomers 

BACKGROUND

Since July 1999, Wakefield Brewster has been known as one of Canada’s most popular and prolific Performance Poets.

He is a Black man born and raised in Toronto, by parents hailing from the island of Beautiful Barbados, and he has resided in Calgary since 2006.

He has spoken across Canada, and several States, and makes countless appearances on a regular basis in a variety of ways, for a myriad of reasons, throughout each and every single year.

PUBLICATION

Anthologies Published with Wakefield’s Works

The Great Black North,

Frontenac House, 2013

WAKEFIELD WEARS MANY HATS AND HOODIES IN THE ART COMMUNITY

Wakefield is a community builder through engaging in volunteering, leadership, and mentorship for youth and through the arts. He is an active advocate for literacy and the humanities; Healing arts & alternative medicine; alcoholism & addictions; mental wellness & recovery.

  • Peter Gzowski Foundation For Literacy Calgary Poet Laureate, 2021

    Calgary Black Chambers Black Achievement Awards: Winner Lifetime Achievement Award 2022

    Inaugural Poet Of Honour, People’s Poetry Festival, 2011

    Inaugural Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre 2019 – 2021

    Calgary Poet Laureate Shortlist/Finalist 2012, 2020

  • Registered Massage Therapist and owner of WakeFull Wellness

    Registered Massage Therapy & HealingSpace

  • Canadian League Of Poets Member

    Former Elephant Artist’s Relief Society Board Member

  • 3-Time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion & Team Captain; 2006, 2008, 2009

    Professional Poetic Interpreter™

  • Founder of Page2Stage Productions, Poetry Production Project

    Founder of Poésie à la Pâtisserie & Pitbull Poetry Reading Series

  • Classical Pianist & Percussionist

    1st Dan Black Belt, World Tae Kwon Do Federation