The Poetry Society of Jamaica was founded in 1989 by Poets In Unity - a group of performing poets, all students of the Edna Manley College of The Visual & Performing Arts. The group included Tomlin Ellis, Malachi Smith, Calvin Mitchell, Anita Stewart, Chris Bailey, Tommy Ricketts and Shacka Bantuta. They had a vision of creating a governing body charged with promoting and building the art of writing. Key among their aims was a monthly assembly affording poets the opportunity to share and discuss their work. The Society, now over two decades strong, is still committed to the building and advancement of poetry and poets in Jamaica and maintains its monthly meetings at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts; the very place it was launched over 20 years ago. Poetry Society of Jamaica is committed to encouraging the appreciation and engagement of poetry as a valid organic means of expression and communication.