Each year, beginning in 2012, a young Oaklander has been honored with the title Oakland Youth Poet Laureate.
The Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program is an unprecedented citywide effort to celebrate literacy through poetry and connect young writers to far-reaching opportunities.
We are so proud of all Youth Poets and their accomplishments!
Ella Gordon, 2024 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Nairobi Barnes, 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Nadia Elbgal, 2022 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Myra Estrada, 2021 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Greer Nakadegawa-Lee, 2020 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Samuel Getachew, 2019 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Leila Mottley, 2018 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Lucy Flattery-Vickness, 2017 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Azariah Cole-Shephard, 2016 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Tova Ricardo, 2015 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Sophie Elkin, 2014 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Obasi Davis, 2013 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
Steph Yun, 2012 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate
