Nakia Hill is a writer, journalist, and educator who focuses on empowering Black women and girls of color to use writing as a tool for healing, advocacy, and resistance. A native of Roxbury, Hill was named a Boston Artist-in-Residence in 2018 by Mayor Walsh. She continues to work closely with the Department of Arts and Culture to support their efforts to expand funding opportunities for Boston artists. Hill is also an inaugural Boston Youth Poet Laureate selection committee member where she collaborated with other committed community leaders and artists to support youth poets in Boston.

Hill has a track record of effectively launching, directing, and sustaining writing and youth leadership programs for students in grades K-12. She has over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector with a commitment to improving literacy and leadership skills for inner city youth. After eight years at 826 Boston, a nonprofit youth writing and tutoring center in Roxbury, Hill is excited to transition into her new role as Mayor Michelle Wu’s first Communications Director for the Cabinet of Community Engagement. 

Hill received her Bachelor's Degree from Howard University in Broadcast Journalism and her Master's degree from Emerson College in Multimedia Journalism. Her written work has been published in the Boston Globe, The Baystate Banner, Boston Art Review, Fodor’s Travel, and many more notable publications

Hill is the author of two books: Water Carrier and I Still Did It. She is the first Black woman to become an editor at Boston Art Review and to serve as a founding board member. 

When Hill is not overseeing the Community Engagement Cabinet’s Communications, she enjoys traveling internationally, visiting art galleries and art centered events with her friends, and dining at her favorite local restaurants.