The St. Louis City Poet Laureate Task Force voted to appoint Imani Wentz and Kyle Brent Lubart as members of the task force and approved a revised timeline to draft changes to the city ordinance governing the group.

The action came after the chair summarized interviews with both candidates and opened the floor for discussion. Members praised Wentz’s nonprofit and small-business experience and Lubart’s background as a teaching artist and community organizer; several speakers noted both candidates’ networks would help the task force expand programming and funding connections. A motion to appoint both candidates was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The chair said the newly appointed members will receive official letters.

Why it matters: The appointments increase the task force’s capacity to pursue outreach and programming for the poet laureate office at a time when members said the role needs stronger links to civic initiatives and community events. Members signaled particular interest in using the new appointments to help with fundraising, event outreach and partnerships across the city.

What was approved: The task force also voted to amend its internal timeline: drafting language to amend the city ordinance (including any membership caps) will be moved from January to February 2026 because of the chair’s travel schedule, and the draft will be presented to the Board of Aldermen in March 2026. The chair said she will confirm ordinance details and follow up with the task force if changes are required.

Details on the candidates: According to the discussion record, Wentz was described as previously the owner of the New York Bookshop and as having connections to nonprofit fundraising networks; Lubart was described as a teaching artist with a record of workshops and work in the mental-health and social-service space and noted as not originally from St. Louis but long active in the community.

Procedural note: Members raised a question about whether the city ordinance caps task force membership; the chair said she would verify the ordinance language with Christine and confirm whether appointing both candidates complies with any limit. The motion to appoint both candidates and the amended timeline were approved by voice votes; the meeting record shows the motions were moved, seconded and carried.

Next steps: The chair said she will reach out to the newly appointed members and send official appointment letters. The task force will proceed with the February drafting schedule and present the ordinance amendments to the Board of Aldermen in March 2026.