This news update is brought to you by the City of Long Beach. To find out more about City programs, projects, initiatives and services, please visit longbeach.gov. To find events near you, please visit the City calendar at www.longbeach.gov/events. And follow us on social media @longbeachcity.
Long Beach Accepting Applications for 2027 Youth Poet Laureate Program
By Staff Writer
Published on Wed, Oct 7, 2026
The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) is launching the 2027-28 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach, Long Beach Forward, Rancho Los Alamitos and Urban Word NYC. Each year, the program gives Long Beach youth an opportunity to use poetry, art and civic engagement to express ideas, connect with the community and inspire positive change. Applications open Saturday, Nov. 14 for Long Beach community members ages 13 to 18.
Applicants for the program are reviewed by a panel of local working poets. Finalists will be invited to share their work at a culminating public event in May, where Long Beach’s fifth Youth Poet Laureate and the new Poet Ambassadors will be announced. The selected Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $1,500 scholarship, while each of the four Poet Ambassadors will receive a $500 scholarship.
In addition, the YPL cohort will receive mentorship from a local poet, as well as opportunities to further develop their writing through craft workshops. Through the program year, which concludes in April 2028, the cohort will also contribute to a citywide literary initiative while developing meaningful connections with community organizations, artists and other partners throughout Long Beach.
The National Youth Poet Laureate program began in New York in 2008, with Long Beach joining the program in 2023. At the Youth Poet Laureate Finals Ceremony on May 16, 2026, Ajala Sen, a junior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, was named Long Beach’s fourth Youth Poet Laureate. Sen is joined by four Youth Poet Ambassadors — Ruby Giles, Cecelia Rogers, Annali Bojorquez and Kieran Lundy — under the mentorship of local poet Nancy Woo. Throughout the year, the cohort participated in poetry readings, workshops and other events throughout Long Beach.
Applications for the 2027 Youth Poet Laureate program will be accepted from Nov. 14, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Those interested must submit a completed application, a curriculum vitae highlighting their civic and social engagement experience, a 100-word biographical statement and a portfolio of five poems. If you have questions or need assistance with the application, please email the LB YPL team at LS-YPL@longbeach.gov to schedule a virtual office hour.
For more information about the Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate program, visit the Long Beach Public Library website or call 562-570-7500.
