Laureate Legacy

In celebration of National Poetry Month at the Library

Join us for an afternoon with Provincial Poet Laureate Testament and former Parliamentary Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke, past & present Barrie Poet Laureates Bruce Meyer and Ty the Poetess.

These iconic Poets will discuss their journey with poetry; the legacies they have created and share original poetic creations. The floor will also be open for a question-and-answer period, so come prepared to ask about something that is on your heart.

This event will be hosted by Ty the Poetess, Barrie’s present Poet Laureate.  A special Poetry reading from guest Bruce Meyer, Barrie’s Inaugural Poet Laureate will also shape the day.

Books by the various poets will be available for purchase on the day.

About George Elliot Clarke:

George Elliott Clarke is the 4th Poet Laureate of Toronto (2012-2015) and the 7th Parliamentary/Canadian Poet Laureate (2016-2017). Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, George Elliott Clarke was an English Professor at the University of Toronto. Clarke has also taught at Duke, McGill, UBC and Harvard. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his work, including numerous honorary doctorates, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Fellowship Prize, the Planet Africa Renaissance Award, and appointment to the Order of Nova Scotia. 

George Elliott Clarke is the author of numerous collections of poetry including Saltwater Spirituals and Deeper Blues (1983), Lush Dreams, Blue Exile: Fugitive Poems 1978-1993 (1994), Execution Poems: The Black Acadian Tragedy of George and Rue (2001), which won the Governor General’s Literary Award, Illuminated Verses (2005), Black (2006), and the dramatic poem Trudeau: Long March, Shining Path (2007). In our library collection, you may find Whylah Falls (2000), Whiteout: How Canada Cancels Blackness (2023) and Where Beauty Survived (2021)

About Testament:

Matthew-Ray Jones, also known as Testament, is Ontario's 2nd Poet Laureate (2024-Present). Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Testament is a connoisseur of anything and everything involving words. From poetry, spoken word and emceeing to facilitating, hosting and keynoting, Matthew-Ray has been using his natural speaking abilities to inspire audiences for over 20 years. His mother is his hero. She endured many hardships throughout her life and made sacrifices so that Matthew-Ray could pursue his dreams. She provided him with a diary at age 6 that inspired the artist to start his writing journey through self-expression.

Matthew-Ray has performed and taught nationally from coast to coast in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nunavut, and British Columbia. He has performed internationally in Venezuela and Italy and has travelled to six continents.

To date, he has recorded three albums and shared the stage with Talib Kweli, Naughty by Nature, Biz Markie, GZA, Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, Da?M-FunK and more. He co-founded an artist collective called P.E.A.C.E. (“People Everywhere Actually Co-existing Equally”) helping people realize they are 'a piece of P.E.A.C.E.' through poetry, HipHop, music, workshops, presentations and trainings.

A father, artist, entrepreneur and revolutionary, Matthew-Ray uses his passion for words, art and life to motivate, inspire and lead. He trusts in the values of peace, love and unity as his guiding principles as he continues to spread his message worldwide.

About Ty the Poetess:

Tyneisha Thomas, also known as Ty the Poetess, is the fourth Poet Laureate of Barrie, serving from 2022 to 2026. She has distinguished herself as an Arts and Culture Ambassador, was named among Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch for 2025 and recently received the Barrie Today Community Builders award for her contributions to the arts. 

Ty is an accomplished spoken word performer, event curator, bestselling author, safe space creator, songwriter, and advocate for "the people." She recognizes the transformative power of literature and harnesses poetry to foster healing for herself and others. Tyneisha thoughtfully weaves vital themes such as diversity, women's empowerment, mental health awareness, and kindness into her work.  

About Bruce Meyer:

Bruce Meyer was the inaugural Poet Laureate of Barrie. He is author or editor of more than 80 books of poetry, short stories, flash fiction, translations, memoirs, and non fiction including 3 national best sellers. With Michael Enright of CBC Radio One, he was the literary guide for the network’s bestselling spoke word cd series, The Great Books, and Great Poetry.  He has won numerous national and international awards for his stories and poems. This year will see the release of The Winter Concerto (stories) and The Traces (poems) — his 81st and 82nd titles. His works have been translated into 12 languages. He lives in Barrie, Ontario and is a retired professor from the University of Toronto and Georgian College. 

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