“A Valentine For Mae V. Cowdery” Mural Dedication

This Mural Arts Month, experience the union of poetry and public art as Steve “ESPO” Powers unveils his latest mural in Center City, dedicated to Philadelphia poet Mae V. Cowdery, a forgotten voice of the Harlem Renaissance.

We’ll gather to dedicate A Valentine For Mae V. Cowdery with live music, light refreshments, and poetry readings by 2026-2027 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Emi Wong Shing and 2025-2026 Youth Poet Laureate Rashawn Dorsey.

Known for his iconic Love Letter mural series, Philly-born artist ESPO returns to the city with a new work inspired by Cowdery (1909–1948), who began publishing at age 19 while attending Philadelphia High School for Girls. Though her poetry shared roots with the work of Langston Hughes and other Harlem Renaissance luminaries, Cowdery remains a too-often-overlooked voice in the movement following her death at age 39.

With his new text-based mural, ESPO hopes to bring Cowdery’s words back into the public eye. Spanning several buildings along Ranstead Street in Center City, A Valentine For Mae V. Cowdery features lines from the 1928 poem “Nameless,” transforming the city streets into poetry.

Created with support from the City of Philadelphia Office of Clean and Green Initiatives and Center City District, ESPO’s mural is part of Throughlines, a citywide public art exhibition unfolding from 2026-2027.