Mix Mingle and Write Poetry Workshop

Shelly Conley

2025/2026 - Milwaukee Poet Laureate

https://shellyconley.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-conley-a76b542b4

The woman

"We hide parts of ourselves to survive.

But what’s meant for us cannot find us when we’re disguised."

Shelly Conley experienced most of her youth in Milwaukee’s 53206 zip code, an area notoriously known for having the highest incarceration rate of black men in the country. If she lived by society's labels, she may have seen a different life. Instead, she decided to lose the restraints often associated with those labels and embraced the lessons learned along her journey: the fight, the Love, the loss, and the resilience. Born with a unique balance of creativity and discipline, Shelly's weapon of choice has always been her pen.  Her poetry and writing encourages, empowers, and celebrates the culture. 

While her humility is evident, her light effortlessly overflows into the lives of others. Shelly is the recipient of several awards and recognitions. Most notably, she serve as MILWAUKEE'S 2025-2026 POET LAUREATE.