She is widely regarded as a seminal figure in African American poetry. She entered the ranks of Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, and Miller Williams when Barack Obama invited her to compose and perform a poem at his presidential inauguration; her poem, "Praise Song for the Day," became a bestseller after Graywolf Press released it as a chapbook. Alexander has been praised for her skill as a poet's poet, and her elegant and energetic verse has earned her recognition as one of the nation's most significant poets. Alexander writes sonnets which have received critical praise for their musicality and intellectual dexterity. Her work often juxtaposes music with other art forms (such as painting or theater), reflecting Alexander's interest in various cultures and their ways of thinking. She has described her mission as an artist as follows: "As an artist, my job is to show people what they know and unknown about each other." Here are some of Alexander's major works: Black Fire (1977) is a collection of fourteen poems that meditate on blackness in American culture. The volume was awarded the National Book Award for Poetry. It includes Alexander's famous poem "The New Black", which critics say provides a powerful statement against racism. In Celebration (1979) is a book of poems which reflect on love, nature, and religion. The volume includes the well-known poem "Love Song for Steven Hawkins" which celebrates a gay man who died of AIDS-related illnesses.