Kimberly J. Simms

[3] Recognized for her contributions to the poetry slam community, Simms is celebrated for her work exploring the lives and voices of textile mill workers in the Piedmont region, as well as for her involvement in poetry performance[4] and education.

At age 18, she founded the first poetry slam in South Carolina[7] and became the youngest "slammaster" in the country.

[8] Simms is the author of the poetry collection Lindy Lee: Songs on Mill Hill (2017),[9] which chronicles the lives of textile workers in the Piedmont region[10] with historical accuracy[11] and imaginative insight.

[12] Her poetry explores themes of sorrow, joy, resilience, and redemption, and has appeared in literary magazines,[13] community projects,[14][15] and anthologies.

[27] Her non-profit work focuses on fostering creative communities and supporting emerging writers.