Gwendolyn Brooks was a renowned African American poet who made significant contributions to the literary world. She was born on June 7, 1917, in Topeka, Kansas, and raised in Chicago. Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 for her collection of poems titled "Annie Allen."

Brooks' poetry often explored themes of race, identity, and the everyday experiences of Black people in America. She was known for her use of innovative language and form, as well as her ability to capture the complexities of Black life with honesty and compassion.

Throughout her career, Brooks received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the National Medal of Arts, the Robert Frost Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Poetry, and the Poetry Society of America's Shelley Memorial Award. She also served as the poetry consultant to the Library of Congress, a position now known as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

Gwendolyn Brooks passed away on December 3, 2000, leaving behind a powerful legacy as a trailblazing poet who broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of African American writers.