Sterling Allen Brown (1901–1989) was an acclaimed American poet, academic, folklorist, and literary critic. Throughout his distinguished career, he focused his scholarly and creative efforts on the rich cultural heritage of Black communities in the southern United States. By documenting and celebrating these traditions, he helped establish African American folklore as a vital subject of academic study.\n\nFor the majority of his professional life, Brown served as a professor at Howard University, where he taught and mentored numerous students. His academic work and poetry were deeply intertwined with his efforts to preserve oral histories and vernacular speech. In honor of his enduring legacy and his contributions to the literary community, Brown was appointed as the very first poet laureate of the District of Columbia.
