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 Interviewed by OYPL Poets
Interview: 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Nairobi Barnes
2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Nairobi Barnes, talks about her craft, role models, and more in this interview with Shanga Goman.
Geronimo Valenzuela in conversation with Steph Yun
Meet 2022 OYPL Finalist Geronimo Valenzuela who is in conversation with 2012 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Steph Yun.
Rina Huang in conversation with Eleanor Wikstrom
Meet 2022 OYPL Finalist Rina Huang who is in conversation with 2020 Vice Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Eleanor Wikstrom.
Nadia Elbgal in conversation with Greer Nakadegawa-Lee
Meet 2022 OYPL Finalist Nadia Elbgal who is in conversation with 2020 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Greer Nakadegawa-Lee.
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 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate 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
Samuel Getachew, Oakland Museum of California, 2019
2019 OYPL performs before interviewing Tommy Orange at the Oakland Museum of California.
Tommy Orange in conversation with Samuel Getachew
OPL hosted a conversation between award-winning author Tommy Orange & 2019 OYPL Samuel Getachew at the Oakland Museum of California in 2019.
Eleanor Wikstrom's Poem for UN Charter signing Commemoration
2019 Vice OYPL was invited to be part of the ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the UN.
