Ashley Cornelius is the first Black Pikes Peak Region Poet Laureate. She is a nationally recognized and multi-award-winning spoken-word poet, facilitator, cultural worker and keynote speaker. Ashley published her debut poetry collection "Translations of the Soul" this year. Ashley Cornelius is a Licensed Professional Counselor and uses poetry as her modality for healing. Ashley has 7 years experience working in hospitals and healthcare. Ashley is a community organizer and works with various businesses, organizations and nonprofits to add poetry across the region in innovative ways! Ashley is the Co-Director of Poetry719, a Black-led poetry group lifting the voices of marginalized communities and BIPOC folks through art. Ashley is committed to using poetry as a platform to speak up and out for marginalized groups and be a voice for those who have been historically silenced.