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The City of Tampa’s first official Poet Laureate, James E. Tokley Sr., has also been cited by former National Urban League president, John E. Jacob, as the Poet Laureate of the National Urban League. Tokley’s epic poem “Genesis” was introduced at the 1992 National Urban League Conference held in San Diego, and was adapted for cinema.  Tokley’s poem “The Pursuit” has been adapted for cinema, featuring the poet-actor, among others, and has won critical praise throughout the nation. Tokley’s poem “Song of the Hillsborough” was chosen to represent Hillsborough County, Florida, during its year-long millennium celebration activities, and was a part of the White House Millennium exhibit. During November 2000, Tokley received critical acclaim as he accompanied Florida Symphony Orchestra in its performance of composer Aaron Copeland’s “Lincoln Portrait.” In March 2006, Tokley was again featured with the orchestra. Tokley released his debut audio CD-ROM, “Urban Griot,” to positive public and critical acclaim. His second CD, “Bittersweet Notes from the New World Blues,” is scheduled to go on sales during fall 2007. Tokley provided the poem “Freedom” which appears on the base of a statue of the same name. The statue currently stands at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square in Tampa. Tokley has provided inauguration poems for past Tampa mayor, Dick Greco, and present Tampa mayor, Pam Iorio. Tokley’s poem “Ode to Coexistence” has recently been accepted as part of the global traveling exhibit “Coexistence.” One of Tokley’s more recent accomplishments is the airing of the epic poem, “The War of the Gods,” a commemorative of the Thrilla-in-Manilla boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Tokley’s poem “The Sage of St. Benedict School” was reproduced in a strip of granite, measuring 28 feet by 18 inches, and is part of the sidewalk on the corner of Tampa 20th Avenue and Columbus Drive. Tokley wrote a poem for the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, entitled “Her Majesty by the Sea,” which is credited as helping save the more-than-a-century-old building from destruction. Tokley’s “Leviathan” is a poem about the great blue whale, and can be currently seen on the side of the Tampa towers building overlooking Gas Light Park in downtown Tampa. At 65 feet tall and 45 feet across, it is the largest poem ever produced and posted in the history of the world. In January 2007 on the Capitol steps of Tallahassee, Tokley delivered the inaugural poem “A Meeting of the People” for the swearing in ceremony of newly-elected Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Tokley received his B.A. degree in English from Delaware State University, his Masters of Education degree from Temple University, and has completed doctoral coursework at both Temple and University of South Florida. Tokley and his wife are owners of Tokley and Associates, a human resources training and consulting firm. |
