Creative Happiness Institute Launches $200,000 Fundraising Campaign to Honor Late Poet Laureate's Legacy
The Creative Happiness Institute is establishing a $200,000 endowment fund to continue Dr. David B. Axelrod's work supporting poetry and arts education in Volusia County, ensuring his decades-long commitment to artistic mentorship and community enrichment endures.
The Creative Happiness Institute, a Daytona Beach-based nonprofit, has announced a $200,000 fundraising campaign to establish the David B. Axelrod Memorial Endowment Fund, ensuring the continuation of arts and poetry programs throughout Volusia County. This initiative honors the legacy of Dr. David B. Axelrod, the county's recently deceased co-poet laureate and founder of the organization, who dedicated his life to mentoring local artists and poets.
The endowment will support CHI's ongoing activities, including the Young Poets Mentoring Program, poetry readings and slams, and educational initiatives for schools, colleges, seniors, and veterans. The organization, which relies on donations and grants, also continues to publish works by local poets through Writers Ink Press, a five-decade-old poetry-focused imprint now transitioning to CHI's control from Axelrod's estate.
An upcoming tribute event scheduled for September 6 at the Dr. Noble "Thin Man" Watts Amphitheatre in DeLand will officially unveil the memorial fund. The African American Museum of the Arts is providing the venue for the event, which will feature live music by jazz guitarist Jim Graves, open mic sessions for sharing memories and poetry, and food and beverages. Following the tribute, MainStreet Art and Culture Slam of DeLand will host a qualifying competition for the Southeast Regional North Carolina Poetry Slam.
Axelrod's impact on the literary community extended far beyond Volusia County. During his six-decade career, he taught approximately 12,000 students as an English professor at SUNY Suffolk County Community College, authored 25 poetry books and an award-winning biography, and received three Fulbright awards. His efforts in Florida included successfully lobbying the state legislature to resurrect the statewide poet laureate position.
CHI President Anthony Ehrlich emphasized the enduring significance of Axelrod's work, noting his dedication to using poetry and arts to promote happiness, healing, and health. The $200,000 endowment represents a critical investment in preserving Axelrod's vision of artistic mentorship and community fellowship, ensuring that future generations in Volusia County continue to benefit from the transformative power of creative expression.