Bao Phi

Bao Phi (1975) was born in Saigon, Vietnam but was raised in South Minneapolis. He has been writing and performing his poetry since he was a teenager. He attended Macalester College and has been involved in the Minnesota literary scene for many years, managing and teaching at programs at the Loft Literary Center and other centers around the United States. He appeared on Russell Simons Presents Def Poetry on HBO, the first Vietnamese-American to do so. Phi is a two-time champion of the Minnesota Grand Slam and was also a finalist in the National Poetry Slam.

Phi has published several collections of poetry and a children’s book, A Different Pond, which won a Caldecott Honor and a Minnesota Book Award. His poetry has been featured in journals, anthologies, and literary magazines, and one of his poems was chosen by Billy Collins for inclusion in The Best American Poetry 2006 anthology. Phi’s first book of poetry was published in 2011, focusing on Vietnamese-American life. His poetry is also able to be read as spoken word.

More information on Bao Phi from the Minnesota Writers Directory.