Despite her easy smile and reflective way of speaking, Arida Wright is a powerhouse. Possessing an enviable amount of creative energy and talent, she pairs those qualities with a spirit dedicated to making a positive difference in her world.
A native New Yorker, she was ordained as a minister and coordinated women’s spiritual and healing retreats before relocating to Key West in 1997. Since then, she has found her voice as a poet who explores issues of race and inequality in both written and spoken-word works.
A recent poem, titled “A Letter to Dr. King,” spotlights the need to fight for civil rights in today’s world and poses poignant questions to the memory of Martin Luther King: “Are you still on your mountain top looking over it from the other side? How do we hold onto your hope with all this strife?”
Wright’s creations ring with such strength and resonance that she was selected to be Key West’s poet laureate for 2026-28 — an accolade she describes as both unexpected and overwhelming.
During her tenure, she plans to explore developing a forum where Bahama Village children can learn poetry. In addition, Wright hopes to carry on the influence of her mentor Flower Conroy, a former Key West poet laureate who had a profound influence on her creative development.
Author of two books and published in several anthologies, Wright also coordinates community events through the nonprofit organization R.O.S.E. Diversity Group. She spearheads both a ministry and a publishing company, has earned the title of traditional Reiki master, and is still a newlywed after marrying Abdul Khaleque in May 2025.
Not long ago, she took the time to talk about her life and creative passions with Keys Weekly.
When did you come to Key West and why?
I came in 1997 with two manuscripts, and I wanted to be a published author. This is Hemingway country — Hemingway, Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop — so I knew it would happen here.
How do you approach the process of writing poetry?
I feel like I channel it more than I write it. It seems like I’m able to tap into the spirit realm where, though people are no longer physical on this planet, their spirits are still alive — and I can plug in, click in to where they are and get a message.
Your two published books are in different genres. What are they like?
“Then Sings My Soul,” the first book that came out, is a 365-day inspirational reflection book. There’s a positive thought for each day, and each day it gives little clips about something that I’m internalizing and looking at my life about. The second is the poetry book, “Crossing the Threshold: Voice of a Black Woman.”
As the creator of both spoken-word poetry and written poems, how do you want people to react when they hear you perform or read your work?
I write mostly about racial issues. I want people to reflect on how the theme of the poem relates to them, or someone they know, in any way. And perhaps, since the title of my poetry book is “Crossing the Threshold,” perhaps they could cross the threshold into a different mindset after hearing my experience with whatever racial issue I’m talking about.
In your “other life” as a professional event planner, what are some of the special events that you coordinate and produce?
I have a nonprofit called R.O.S.E. Diversity, and we do cultural events in Key West — Black History Month, Kwanzaa, Juneteenth and the Day of Remembrance. The Day of Remembrance is my biggest event, and I do it in August on the beach for the ancestors.
For Black History Month, I’m doing a poem called “Freedom” from my book at my church — St. James Church — for their Black History Program on Feb. 22. Right after I finish, R.O.S.E. Diversity will join me and we’re going to sing a song called “Freedom.”
How do you spend your time when you’re not busy writing or producing events for the community?
I’m a Lyft and Uber driver and I work part-time Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’ve been doing it for nine years, and I love it. I love driving people, talking about the island, and being kind of like a tour guide.
After living in Key West for almost 20 years, what aspect of the island remains most appealing to you?
It’s still the ocean. It’s where I take my problems and I draw my faith, energy, and strength. The ocean is my higher power.
