Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center is proud to announce the election of poet and educator Luivette Resto as the President of its Board of Trustees. Resto was unanimously elected in December 2024, and officially stepped into her new role in January.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have Luivette leading Beyond Baroque’s board of trustees in what will be an important period for the organization and for the literary arts community as a whole,” said the nonprofit’s Executive Director, Quentin Ring. “Luivette is an exceptional poet, a deeply generous person, and a true leader. She’s the ideal person to help Beyond Baroque continue to grow in the years to come.”

Resto, the author of three acclaimed books of poetry, joined Beyond Baroque’s board of trustees in 2024, and has been deeply involved with the organization for many years as a curator, workshop leader, organizer, and poet. “ I am deeply honored to serve as Beyond Baroque's next Board President. Beyond Baroque has been part of my poetry journey for several years,” said Resto. “To now have the opportunity to give back, serve, and support Beyond Baroque’s future alongside its dedicated staff and literary community fills me with gratitude and inspiration.”

Resto succeeds former President of the Board Shonda Buchanan, who stepped down after a highly successful term. During her tenure, Buchanan led the recruitment of over 10 new Board members, co-drafted a three-year Strategic Plan, raised significant funds to support Beyond Baroque’s mission, and helped the organization to reopen and reintroduce its major programs following the pandemic. She also played a key role in strengthening the Board’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility initiatives, and co-created the Amanda Gorman Future Voices Poetry Prize. Buchanan will continue to support Beyond Baroque as a Trustee at Large, and will contribute to the organization’s literary programming as a Writer at Large

“Shonda’s leadership has been inspirational,” said Ring. “Working with our staff and board, she has strengthened Beyond Baroque in every possible way during what has been a turbulent time for arts nonprofits. We owe her a profound debt of gratitude, and I can’t wait to see how the organization will grow from that foundation under Luivette’s presidency. Beyond Baroque is going from strength to strength.”

About Luivette Resto

Luivette Resto is an award-winning poet, a mother of three revolutionary humans, and a middle school English teacher. She was born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico but proudly raised in the Bronx. She is a CantoMundo and Macondo Fellow and a Pushcart Prize nominee. She has three books of poetry: Unfinished Portrait, Ascension, and Living on Islands Not Found on Maps. Her work has been mentioned in the LA Times and Ms. Magazine. She is the associate editor of Tía Chucha Press, and she also sits on the board for Women Who Submit, and she is one of the co-hosts of Poetry LA.