In 2001, the school was renamed in honor of Gwendolyn Brooks, who was a South Side resident, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress.
For 22 years Matsunaga presented legislation in Congress for the creation of the position of United States Poet Laureate.
Rita Dove, considered the first activist poet laureate, brought together writers to explore the African diaspora through the eyes of its artists, championed children's poetry and jazz with poetry events and read at the White House during Bill Clinton's first state dinner.
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United States Poet Laureate James Whitcomb Riley read a memorial poem he wrote in honor of the fallen president.
Previous authors include former United States poet laureate Ted Kooser, American Book Award winner Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, David Lee, and William Kloefkorn, among others.