Terrance Hayes: A Modern Poet of Innovation and Identity
Early Life and Influences
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1971, Terrance Hayes grew up with a deep appreciation for both literature and visual art. His early exposure to the works of poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Hayden, and Yusef Komunyakaa shaped his understanding of poetry as a medium for both self-expression and social commentary. He attended Coker College on a basketball scholarship, later earning an MFA in creative writing from the University of Pittsburgh.
