As we look forward to Cave Canem’s next thirty years, we do so with profound gratitude for Dante Micheaux, who served as our Artistic Director and is now embarking on his next chapter.
Dante’s relationship with Cave Canem spans more than two decades and reflects the very mission of the organization. He became Cave Canem’s first administrative staff in 2004, serving as Office Manager and helping to build the organization’s foundation in its earliest years. Over time, he became Programs Coordinator, and after relocating to Europe, supported the annual retreat as Retreat Coordinator. He returned at a pivotal moment as the 25th Anniversary Curatorial Advisor. He was subsequently appointed Director of Programs later in 2022 and Artistic Director in 2025, bringing both longstanding institutional knowledge and artistic vision to the role. His journey, from Cave Canem Fellow (2003) to staff member and artistic leadership, embodies Cave Canem’s commitment to cultivating Black poets throughout their careers. Dante remains a cherished member of the Cave Canem Fellowship, and we look forward to celebrating his contributions to the literary world as he continues to support poets and the literary field from his own agency, The Micheaux Group, and pursues his own poetic projects. Dante has recently joined the faculty of the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing and will be in residence at Civitella Ranieri next year.
As Artistic Director, Dante helped shape Cave Canem’s artistic vision while ensuring that our programming reflected the organization’s strategic mission and values. His stewardship strengthened core programs serving Fellows across every stage of their artistic lives, realigned programming with long-term organizational goals, restored the Legacy Series honoring Black poet elders, and expanded opportunities for artistic development and mentorship across our national network. He represented Cave Canem with generosity, intellect, and integrity, reflecting a deep commitment to Black poetry and the artists who make this community possible.
Cave Canem Board President, acclaimed writer and 2021–2022 Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, reflected on Dante’s contributions:
The Board of Directors joins the chorus of voices who thank Dante for his years of service and dedication to the mission and growth of Cave Canem. The organization will wear the stamp of his creative energy for years to come.
Dante Micheaux shared:
For half of my life, I have been a part of the Cave Canem community, and for twenty of those years I did all I could to steward Toi and Cornelius’s teaching and spacemaking. I am so grateful for everything that Cave Canem has given to me as an individual and to Black poets in general, and excited for the organization’s future.
Looking Ahead: The Search for Our Next Director of Programs
Cave Canem is pleased to announce an open call for applications for the position of Director of Programs. The Director of Programs will guide the organization’s artistic and programmatic vision while stewarding Cave Canem’s nationally recognized retreats, workshops, public programs, prizes, and partnerships. We seek a leader who shares our commitment to Black poetry, artistic excellence, and cultivating spaces where poets can thrive.
We invite qualified candidates from across the literary community to apply and help shape Cave Canem’s next chapter. Together, we will continue cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets and ensuring that Cave Canem remains a vibrant home for Black literary excellence.
Applications for the Director of Programs position are now open.