Ricardo Alberto Maldonado, a renowned award-winning poet, was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and is now poised to become the first Latino executive director and president of the Academy of American Poets. This organization, established in 1934, is responsible for publishing books of contemporary poetry, awarding scholarships, offering programs of study, and administering the website Poets.org and the magazine American Poets.

Prior to assuming this important position, Maldonado served as co-director of the Unterberg Poetry Center, located at the prestigious 92NY in New York City. In that position, he played a key role in creating readings and workshops, including a residency for Spanish-language poets and a program dedicated to high school students. In addition, he was one of the founders of that group’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee, according to NBC News.

According to the article, Maldonado is known both as a translator and as the author of several books of poetry. His first work, titled “The Life Assignment”, received the silver medal at the Juan Felipe Herrera Best Book of Poetry Award and was a finalist for the Norma Farber First Book Award from the Poetry Society of America.

In a statement, Maldonado expressed his honor to assume the new role and his determination to carry forward the organization's mission to serve readers and support poets at every stage of their careers. He highlighted the importance of the resources offered by the Academy of American Poets over the years and quoted the words of Salvadoran poet Roque Dalton, stating that “poetry, like bread, is for everyone”.

Maldonado also expressed his desire to collaborate with academia to explore the essence of poetry in our world and reflect on how art can shape our responsible vision of the present and future.

With Maldonado’s appointment as executive director and Latino president of the Academy of American Poets, there is significant and inclusive representation in the organization's leadership. His vast experience as a poet, translator and advocate for diversity and inclusion will certainly contribute to the promotion of contemporary poetry and to the support of poets throughout the country. It is hoped that under Maldonado's leadership, the academy will continue to play a crucial role in promoting poetry as a form of artistic expression accessible to all.

The Washington Post story provides an interview with Maldonado  about  video about poetry, “what first drew him to the form, the writers he loves to teach and finding poetry in the everyday”.