Who is referred to as the first African-American poet to be published in America?

Phillis Wheatley is recognized as the first African-American poet to be published in America, making her a significant figure in both literary and cultural history. Born in West Africa and enslaved as a child, she was brought to Boston, where she demonstrated remarkable literary talent. Her collection of poems, published in 1773, marked a pivotal moment in American literature, showcasing the ability of an African-American woman to articulate profound thoughts and emotions through poetry. Wheatley's work challenged contemporary perceptions of race and gender and laid the groundwork for future African-American authors.

The other poets listed, while immensely influential in their own right, emerged in different contexts or eras. Anne Bradstreet is known as the first published American poet, but she was not African-American. Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes, both celebrated figures in American literature, wrote later and are known for their contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and civil rights movement, but they did not precede Wheatley in terms of publication.