Former Tompkins County Poet Laureate Michelle Courtney Berry is a journalist, poet, feminist, playwright, entrepreneur, Reiki Master and performer of African, Cherokee and Irish heritage. Born in Manhatan and raised in the Catskills, she holds a Master's degree in Communication from Cornell University, where she was a Cornell Fellow; a dual BA degree in English, Literature & Rhetoric and Political Science & a minor in Public Affairs Communication from Binghamton University, where she was a Presidential Scholar, Scripps-Howard Foundation Scholar and Commencement Speaker. A former summer scholar at Georgetown's Institute on Political Journalism & at Vassar College, Ms. Berry has been a Cave Canem Fellow, Alternate Acting Mayor and Councilwoman for the City of Ithaca. In 2008, she was an elected Delegate for Mr. Barack Obama, garnering over 16,000 votes in NY's 22nd Congressional District. She has opened for The 14th Dalai Lama, Maya Angelou, Howard Zinn and been featured on "Good Morning America." In addition to her publication and performance schedule, she has also held progressive teaching positions at Broome Community College, Binghamton University, Cornell University and Ithaca College. In 2001, she was ranked 16th in the world at the National Poetry Festival in Seattle. She resides in the Fingerlakes Region with her family.