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Long Beach Seeks Next Youth Poet Laureate
By Staff Writer
Published on Sat, Nov 8, 2025
Make your voice heard—the City of Long Beach is searching for the next young voice to inspire the community through poetry. Applications for the 2026 Youth Poet Laureate Program open Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, inviting local writers ages 13 to 18 to share their words, creativity and vision for change.
Now in its fourth year, the Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Program celebrates emerging poets and encourages young people to use the power of poetry to express themselves, uplift others and engage with their community.
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, 2026. To apply, participants must submit a completed application, a curriculum vitae highlighting their civic and social involvement, a 100-word biographical statement and a portfolio of five original poems. Full details and submission guidelines are available on the Youth Poet Laureate webpage, along with information about application assistance.
A panel of local poets will review all submissions and select finalists, who will be invited to perform their work at a public celebration in May. During the event, the next Youth Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Ambassadors will be announced. The Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $1,500 scholarship, and each Ambassador will receive $500 in recognition of their creativity and leadership.
Selected poets will also take part in a yearlong mentorship program with a local poet, gaining access to writing workshops, performance opportunities and community partnerships designed to amplify their voices and artistic growth.
The National Youth Poet Laureate program began in New York City in 2008 and has since expanded to more than 70 cities nationwide. Long Beach joined the movement in 2023. This year’s Youth Poet Laureate, Ezequiel Correa, a senior at Ernest McBride High School, serves alongside Ambassadors Eden Gonzalez, Maddox Harris, Macuilquiahuitl Ixeh and Adele Odette, under the mentorship of local poet Nancy Woo. Together, they will continue to represent Long Beach through readings, workshops and community events until spring 2026.
For more information, visit the Long Beach Public Library’s Youth Poet Laureate Program webpage or call 562.570.7500.
