Long Beach has a new Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) and four new Youth Poet Ambassadors, making up a prestigious 2025 YPL cohort that celebrates vibrant local youth voices who lead with language, courage and purpose.

Newly appointed Youth Poet Laureate Ezequiel Correa was celebrated during a May 17 ceremony held at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, kicking off his one-year term of representing Long Beach youth and inspiring positive change through the arts. At the ceremony, Youth Poet Ambassadors Adele Odetta, Maddox Harris, Eden Gonzalez and Macuilquiahuitl Ixeh were also selected for their one-year term.

Correa, who was a 2024 Youth Poet Ambassador, is an experienced leader and centers equity, community empowerment and transformative change in his work. As 2025 Youth Poet Laureate, he will receive a $1,500 scholarship and lead creative workshops and partner with City departments and cultural organizations to foster literary and civic engagement.

Correa is not doing it alone—alongside him, the ambassadors, who will each receive $500 scholarships, will work hand-in-hand to bring literary arts and community projects to local youth.

The YPL program is made possible by close partnership between the Long Beach Public Library, the Arts Council for Long Beach and Urban Word NYC. Through the program, the City is investing in and putting youth leadership on full display. Correa’s appointment will help guide Long Beach toward a more inclusive, expressive and united future.

Keep an eye out for Correa, Odetta, Harris, Gonzalez and Ixeh this year as they work together to connect communities, spark dialogue and lead with purpose and imagination.