Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will name 77-year-old Sonia Sanchez, a noted poet and teacher, to the post Thursday morning. Nutter says Sanchez "exemplifies the role a poet can play in helping to define a city and helping its citizens discover beauty."
Sanchez, who lives in west Philadelphia, says she has already fielded congratulations from fellow writers Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. She says people are telling her she's been the city's unofficial poet laureate for years.
Currently the poet in residence at Temple University, Sanchez is the author of at least 18 books of poetry, as well as plays and children's books.
