Youth Poet Laureate
The Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) Program is a joint program of Urban Word NYC and Words, Beats & Life, Inc., with support from local government & partnering organizations, which aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic & community engagement, artistic excellence, human relations, youth activism, diversity and education across the region.
2024
Isaac Yebio: 2024 Washington DC Youth Poet Laureate
Mia Dimina: 2024 Arlington County, VA Youth Poet Laureate
Tara Prakash: 2024 Montgomery County, MD Youth Poet Laureate
2023
Allison Xu: 2023 Montgomery County, MD Youth Poet Laureate
Ribka Desta: 2023 Arlington County, VA Youth Poet Laureate
Sophia Hall: 2023 Washington DC Youth Poet Laureate
2022
Kashvi Ramani: 2022 Arlington County, VA Youth Poet Laureate
Elana Ernst: 2022 Montgomery County, MD Youth Poet Laureate
Sarina Patel: 2022 Washington DC Youth Poet Laureate
2021
Amasa Maleski: 2021 Arlington County, VA Youth Poet Laureate
Sasa Aakil: 2021 Montgomery County, MD Youth Poet Laureate
Amiri Nash: 2021 DC Youth Poet Laureate
2020
Marjan Naderi - 2020 DC Youth Poet Laureate
2019
Gabriela Orozco: 2019 DC Youth Poet Laureate
2018
Aniyah Smith: 2018 DC Youth Poet Laureate
2017
Kenny Carroll: 2017 DC Youth Poet Laureate
2016
Malachi Byrd: 2016 DC Youth Poet Laureate
Words Beats & Life coordinates the local DC chapter of this program and ensures each DC Youth Poet Laureate receives a book deal, a performance tour throughout the city, and professional development resources. Gabriela is the fourth ever DC Youth Poet Laureate following 3rd year’s champion, Aniya Smith, the second champion, Kenny Carroll, and the inaugural, Malachi Byrd. Register to compete to become next year’s DC Youth Poet Laureate by filling in the registration form on this page. Good luck!
After an application and an extensive interview process, the top scoring finalists will perform & be honored, with the highest scoring poet named Youth Poet Laureate
The winning poet will:
-Perform on tour at all busboys and poets DC locations and various DC Public Libraries
-Perform at Library of Congress and at Planet Word during National Poetry Month in April
-Serve on the Youth Advisory Board for the John F. Kennedy Center
-Publish an original book through Words Beats & Life upon program completion
Email our Poetry Director at dop@wblinc.org for more info.