Interview with Chip Williford

We wanted to meet face-to-face, but the weather report for the day we scheduled was predicting rain. That past week Mother Nature couldn’t decide whether to tease us with a day of sunshine or become Fall in redux. Chip Williford, Suffolk County, New York’s first Black Poet Laureate, had his appointment book jammed packed with school visits, poetry contest judging, presenting the new Teen Poet Laureate, and readings that we decided to utilize Zoom. We also agreed to check in on each other; how life is going in these turbulent times. 

“CHIP — How are you doin’? You have been running since Black History Month!”

“There’s a lot going on, but you have to remember to focus on what is important and not get distracted.”

It was obvious that Mr. Williford took his duties as a poet, producer, and person seriously, as well as his two-year tenure as Suffolk’s Poet Laureate. 

As we “settled-in,” we shared about the challenges of conducting interviews, particularly about the accuracy of quotes and reading non-verbal context on Zoom. 

“I was pointing up, gesturing to God, but my arm was not seen on the screen, and it was misinterpreted. I was shocked.” 

He emphasized the importance of in-person interviews, especially to make sure you are communicating clearly with others. I agreed…And promised to take copious, empathetic, notes. 

We began by talking about Chip’s role as Suffolk County’s Poet Laureate, with Chip defining what he considers his role:

“Being Poet Laureate is being an ambassador of poetry — facilitating workshops and promoting in schools and communities. It’s about supporting poets, like doing Poetry Street on the Road and publishing the anthology of Long Island Black poets with the Caribbean American Poetry Association…” 

He described his recent initiatives including the anthology of Long Island’s Black poets, honoring Long Island poet Jupiter Hammond (the first Black published poet in the United States), and a poetry-to-charity project through Fuwimu.com where 100% of proceeds from his poem “Tick-Tock” go to feeding hungry children through PoetryxHunger.com. He elaborated that as an ambassador for poetry, he promotes literacy and encourages people to get engaged through workshops, readings, and open mics, where poets can build community.

I then asked Chip what does it take to become a Poet Laureate, and how did he become the current laureate?

Chip explained that it’s a two-year appointed position requiring nomination by former Poet Laureates and approval through a legislative process. He shared that he was unexpectedly nominated by Deborah Houser, and the other 10 Poet Laureates Emeritus.  

“The nomination was then brought to the County Legislature. I presented a statement and read a poem, “Thoughts of a Mongoose.”

Our conversation included a brief interruption while Chip cleaned a smudged area on his glasses. That’s when I caught up with my copious notes. I shared what I realized with him:

“The process is like they were passing a bill, don’t you think?”

“It is, you have to go through a strict process, I was nervous, but excited too. I was surprised and honored.”

Chip shared his personal journey of obtaining a degree in his 50s, his experience of returning to school after retiring from a fifteen-year career with United Airlines, where he worked as an international purser. He credited an administrative office worker named Malika Larkhart with helping him complete paperwork that initially seemed overwhelming, which motivated him to continue with his associates degree program at Suffolk County Community College. He discussed how his professor, Bill Terry, helped him with his speech impediment through an independent study course, and how his lifelong passion for poetry began in grade school as a way to cope with bullying. His personal journey with stuttering, inspired many of his poems including “The Beast” and “Shame is Not Mine to Own from a Child’s Voice.”

Chip maintained a 4.0 average, became Vice President of Service for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at the college, and obtained a degree in Radio and Television Production. He also has a certification of Theology from Interdenominational Theological Center – Atlanta GA.

Going back to school inspired him to initiate a $10,000 endowment scholarship for Suffolk County Community College through the NAACP Easter Long Island branch. Chip also reflected on his career path from South Carolina to California to New York, emphasizing the importance of resilience and education at any age.

His work as Poet Laureate is grounded in his background in poetry and community service, highlighting his involvement with Poetry Street, Northport Arts Coalition, and Long Island Poets and Literary Repository. He shared about the creation of “Poetry Street on the Road,” a film project featuring 16 poets with individual episodes, which was later compiled into a poetry film. Chip also shared his experience producing a community television show “30 Marvelous Minutes” in the 1980s in Alameda, California, including an interview with Lou Rawls. 

The conversation concluded with information about Poetry Street’s current monthly readings at the Riverhead Public Library, on the third Saturday, from 2-4 PM (which was founded by Susan Dingle and Robert Brown as part of East End Arts’ Jumpstart program in 2014.)

At the end our Zoom-Au-Zoom, I had three short-response questions:

Question #1 How do you write your poetry?

Answer:  Chip writes poetry using pen and paper. 

Question #2. Where do you write? 

Answer:  Often in outdoor settings.

Question #3 Do you have a favorite poem that you wrote? (And you can only name one) If so, which one and share it.

Answer: “The Beast”

THE BEAST 

My eyes open
The day falls dark
And I’m at war with the beast I defeated yesterday

No one can see the wound tightly wrapped in the dried blood stained linen 

tucked underneath my breast plate
No one seems to care
Having their own battles to fight 
And their own wounds to mend

From the muddy depths
I lifted up my head and my sword toward the heavens
With the mighty strength from the God’s

I began swinging

cutting the belly of the beast
Merely wounding the beast
Before their retreat

Yes, I know
Another wound is eminent 
Morning is only hours away
I will rejoice and rest till then.

Chip Williford is an example of an artist who took love, resilience, and poetry to overcome his obstacles. He opened my eyes to how you can be “a creative,” no matter what age or what your circumstances may be. Just hold tight to your dreams, chase your joy, and never give up working on that fire that keeps you burning and yearning. As Poet Laureate, he lets his voice be heard and encourages others to use theirs, whether you’re fifteen or 50, eight or 80. Being in service to your community, being true to yourself, and letting your words be heard, you never know how the world may receive you. So much so, that you make history.