BHCC Hosts the Massachusetts Poetry Showcase

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

The Mass Poetry Showcase celebrates emerging talent by gathering professor-nominated undergraduate poets from more than 15 colleges across Greater Boston. The 2026 event was held at BHCC on April 23 during National Poetry Month. Associate Provost Franklyn Taylor welcomed the audience and participants, and the Award-winning poet January Gill O’Neil delivered the keynote address.

BHCC students Perla Pimentel Meji and Nini Lee were selected to represent BHCC at the Showcase by their mentors and professors Alison Ruch and Sean Coughlin. The poems presented will be available in the 2026 Showcase Anthology: Strike the Match on the Mass Poetry website.

The event fosters community, creativity, and literary exchange through live readings and performances, and it is committed to nurturing young voices and connecting them with wider audiences.

While the showcase is rooted in Boston, the broader Mass Poetry Festival will return to Salem, MA, in May 2027, expanding its reach through a range of events, including panel discussions, workshops, and multimedia experiences. This underscores Mass Poetry’s commitment to nurturing young voices and connecting them with wider audiences.