The Californer - Long Beach Public Library Announces 2025 Youth Poet Laureate Program

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The search for the next Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) has officially begun. The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL), in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach and supported by Urban Word NYC, announced the launch of the 2025 YPL program today. This initiative aims to empower young residents of Long Beach to use their voices and poetry to inspire positive change in their communities.

Applications for the 2025 YPL program will open on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, and will be accepted until Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. Eligible youth between the ages of 13 and 18 are encouraged to apply by submitting a completed application, a curriculum vitae highlighting their civic and social engagement, and a portfolio of five original poems. Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found on the official YPL website.

A panel of local poets will evaluate all submissions and select finalists who will be notified via email in spring 2025. These finalists will then have the opportunity to participate in a public reading event in May 2025 where the next Youth Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Ambassadors will be announced. The chosen Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $1,500 scholarship while each Poet Ambassador will receive a $500 scholarship.

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But it's not just about financial rewards. Members of the YPL Cohort will also receive mentorship from a local poet and access to various resources such as literary arts workshops and partnerships with local literary and community organizations. They will also have support from LBPL staff and facilities as they work on community-focused projects that highlight artistic excellence, civic engagement, and social impact.

The YPL program was first introduced in New York City in 2008 and has since expanded to over 70 communities across the United States. Long Beach joined this prestigious network in 2023 and is now in its third year of the program. The current Youth Poet Laureate, Helena Donato-Sapp, was named at the 2024 ceremony in May 2024. Along with her, five Youth Poet Ambassadors - Liam Balmeo, Jorany Chim, Ezequiel Correa, Sammantha Martinez, and Ajala Sen - have been actively involved in workshops, poetry readings, and other events throughout Long Beach under the mentorship of local poet Nancy Woo.

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Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his pride in the Youth Poet Laureate program and its impact on the city. "The Youth Poet Laureate program represents the spirit of creativity and activism that defines Long Beach," he said. "Through the power of their words, our young poets are shaping the future of our city one verse at a time."

Cathy De Leon, Director of Library Services at LBPL, also emphasized the importance of this program in empowering young leaders. "At the Long Beach Public Library, we believe in the transformative power of words," she said. "The Youth Poet Laureate program is a platform for artistic expression and a vehicle for young people to engage with their communities and spark meaningful change."

For more information on how to apply or get involved with the YPL program, visit lbpl.org or call 562.570.7500. The deadline for applications is Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.

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