Looking for some inspiration?Â
These performances by Oakland Youth Poet Laureate poets should do the trick!
Since 2012, the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate (OYPL) program has helped young Oakland poets share their truths. We are so grateful for their voices.
This community of amazing teens have shared their talents with Oaklanders of all ages, and with people from far beyond Oakland.
Please celebrate their words, their truths, their stories, and all that they've accomplished.
OYPL Finalists Poem Performances
OYPL Finalists Interviewed by OYPL Poets
Oakland Youth Poet Laureate poets have opportunities to perform, speak, host poetry workshops, plan projects, and share their truths in so many ways. Here's some of what they've done.
OYPL Public Performances, Interviews, Projects, and More
Nadia Elbgal, CITY LIGHTS LIVE! Closing Poems
Nadia Elbgal, the 2022 OYPL, delivers the closing poem for CITY LIGHTS LIVE! Humanizing Education: Closing Plenary, March 2023.
Rina Huang, Arts Research Center Flash Reading
Rina Huang, a 2022 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, performs as part of the Arts Research Center's Spring 2023 Flash Reading Series.
Kaylan Black, Arts Research Center Flash Reading
Kaylan Black, the 2022 Oakland Vice Youth Poet Laureate, performs as part of the Arts Research Center's Spring 2023 Flash Reading Series.
Nadia Elbgal, CITY LIGHTS LIVE! Opening Poem
Nadia Elbgal, the 2022 OYPL, delivers the opening poem for CITY LIGHTS LIVE! Humanizing Education: Opening Plenary, March 2023.
Nadia Elbgal, Arts as Life, 2023
Watch her powerful performance, and stay for an incredible panel discussion with multiple Bay Area Youth Poets Laureate.
OYPL on CBS News: Reading to improve lives of black youth
Oakland event celebrates reading to improve lives of Black youth with commentary from Kaylan Black, 2022 Vice Oakland Youth Poet Laureate.
Myra Estrada, Oakland Promise Community Briefing
2021 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Myra Estrada, performs as part of the 2021 Oakland Promise Community Briefing.
Samuel Getachew, 2020 Peninsula Virtual Bookfest
2019 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Samuel Getachew performs at the 2020 Peninsula Virtual Bookfest.
Greer Nakadegawa-Lee, Power to the Poets
2020 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Greer Nakadegawa-Lee, performs in the San Mateo County Poet Laureate's Series, Power to the Poets, 2020.
Azariah Cole-Shephard, Commonwealth Club, 2016
2016 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Azariah Cole-Shephard, performs at the Commonwealth Club of California.
Greer Nakadegawa-Lee, The Song That Deserves to Be Sung
2020 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Greer Nakadegawa-Lee performs for Asian American National Virtual Day of Action on Barbara Lee's pages.
Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Playlist
YouTube playlist featuring videos from the OYPL program.
This Oakland Youth Poet Laureate is Now an Acclaimed Author
Leila Mottley, Oakland Youth Poet Laureate 2017, exploded into the book world with her first novel, Nightcrawling
Harrison Harvey Performs on KALW
Harrison Harvey, 2017 Honorable Mention, performs '4GiveMe' on KALW.
monique jonath Performance on KALW
Poem, 'sestina for my mother and her mother before that' by 2018 and 2019 Finalist, monique jonath
Samuel Getachew, Oakland Museum of California, 2019
2019 OYPL performs before interviewing Tommy Orange at the Oakland Museum of California.
