Poet and scholar Melba Joyce Boyd named 2023 Kresge Eminent Artist

Wayne State's Department of African American Studies Distinguished Professor, Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd, has added another honor to her exceptional career.

Dr. Boyd received the 2023 Kresge Eminent Artist, a lifetime achievement award that comes with a $50,000 prize.

The award ceremony, which features Dr. Boyd reading accompanied by a jazz band and vocalist. Boyd says, "I hope that my work serves as a portal into understanding at least one person, but I am hoping that anybody who is looking for some understanding of the human experience will get something when they read my work-when they see my work."