An annual literary honor for youth poets in Oakland, CA. Finalists and Laureates continue to be invited participate in events beyond their laureate year.
Initiated in 2012, the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program annually invites submissions from talented young writers to be considered for the city's top literary honor. The winning poet will earn a $5,000 educational scholarship and embark on a year of opportunities as an ambassador for literacy, arts and youth expression. The annual contest is run by the Oakland Public Library with support from c
06/09/2025
Congratulations to all of our 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalists.
They each brought it to the stage on Friday and their perfomances were all 🔥🔥🔥!
This year is going to be incredible!
06/09/2025
We are so excited to announce the 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate! Congratulations to Cael Dueñas-Lara!!!!!
Congratulations as well to the new 2025 Oakland Vice Youth Poet Laureate, Sehinne Yohannes!
Meet Delilah Young, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Delilah will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
Don't forget to go back and check out all the previously posted Finalists!
Meet Sehinne Yohannes, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Sehinne will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
Make sure you check out the previous five posted videos and stay tuned for the performance video from one more Finalist.
Meet Isabel Shen, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Isabel will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
Did you miss the previous posted videos? There are four, so make sure you go check them out. And stay tuned for performance videos from the other two Finalists.
Meet Zara Quiter, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Zara will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
We've already posted three Finalist videos, so make sure you check them out. Coming soon - performance videos from the other three Finalists.
Meet Serafina Mackintosh, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Serafina will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
If you missed our previous two videos, don't forget to go check them out, and stay tuned for performance videos from the other four Finalists.
Meet Cael Dueñas-Lara, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Cael will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
If you missed Lola's performance video, make sure you check it out and stay tuned for performance videos from the other five Finalists.
Meet Lola Christ, 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalist.
Lola will be performing live on June 6 at 7pm at Oakstop (1721 Broadway).
Who is our next Oakland Youth Poet Laureate? Come find out!
Stay tuned for performance videos from the other six Finalists.
05/16/2025
Join us for this exciting event to celebrate our thirteenth Oakland Youth Poet Laureate featuring performances by our 2025 Finalists.
We will announce the 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Oakland Youth Poet Laureate.
Emceed by the incomparable artist and educator, EJ Walls.
No tickets required - free and open to the public!
Videos of each Finalist coming soon!
06/08/2024
We are so excited to announce the 2024 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate! Congratulations to Ella Gordon!!!!!
Congratulations as well to the new 2024 Oakland Vice Youth Poet Laureate, Ellis Chhourn!