FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Tarshel Beards, tbeards@oaklandlibrary.org
Oakland, CA – June 6, 2026
Isaiah Kahn, 16, has been named the 2026 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate after competing alongside five other Finalists. As Youth Poet Laureate, Kahn will receive a $5,000 college scholarship generously funded by the Friends of the Oakland Public Library.
“Isaiah is an accomplished poet and an exuberant performer with a unique ability to speak hard truths through his work with clarity and power,” said Sharon McKellar, supervising librarian for teen services at the Oakland Public Library. “As we celebrate the milestone fifteenth year of this program, the second longest running in the nation, we are thrilled to welcome our newest participants into this ever-expanding community and excited to see what Isaiah brings to this important position of leadership.”
The Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program centers the voices of Oakland teens, offering them support, mentorship and a platform to share their insights with Oakland, the greater Bay Area, and beyond.
The award was announced by Oakland At-Large Councilmember Rowena Brown on Friday June 5 at the culmination of a live event during which all six finalists performed.
A rising junior at Oakland School for the Arts, Kahn will represent the Oakland community through poetry, media and public appearances.
In addition to being the 2026 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Kahn is a dedicated activist, a frequent Youth Speaks performer and a member of their SPOKES Youth Advisory Board. His writing has also appeared in “The Telegraph,” the Oakland School for the Arts’ student publication.
Kahn cites Oakland and its culture of creativity and artistic expression as major influences on his work and is grateful for the opportunity to share his passion for writing in the city he loves.
“Poetry, especially when community is involved, makes me realize that most people are incredible, if you look correctly,” said Kahn.
On being the 2026 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Mr. Kahn said, "I’m honored to be able to represent Oakland in this way because it’s made me so much of who I am. I write about my people and my cities and draw influence from my people and my cities. I couldn’t imagine writing poetry anywhere else.”
Performance by 2026 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Isaiah Kahn
Isabel Shen, 17-years-old, was named Oakland’s 2026 Vice Youth Poet Laureate and was honored on stage alongside Kahn and the other 2026 Finalists: Diego Aguilar-Rivera, Lina Norris-Raman, Mia Meza and Serafina Mackintosh and two Honorary Finalists: Lola Christ and Luan Nguyen.
The Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program, in its fifteenth year, is run by Oakland Public Library Teen Services and is an unprecedented citywide effort to celebrate literacy through poetry and connect young writers to far-reaching opportunities. Each year, OPL accepts submissions from talented Oakland writers (ages 13-18) to be considered for the honor.
Bios of and performances by all 2026 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Finalists
The Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, the Vice Youth Poet Laureate, and all Finalists are available for performances, talks, and workshops. Submit your booking requests at oaklandlibrary.org/yplbooking. Stay up to date on events and appearances with the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate on Instagram and Facebook (@youhpoetlaureate) or at oaklandlibrary.org/youthpoets.
The Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program is supported by a broad coalition of partner agencies across the Bay Area: Chapter 510, Write-to-Read, Youth Speaks and the Alameda County Library and is funded with support from the Friends of the Oakland Public Library.
For more information, please visit oaklandlibrary.org/youthpoets, or contact Sharon McKellar, supervising librarian for teen services, at 510-238-7613 or smckellar@oaklandlibrary.org.
About OPL
The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow.