Who will be Oakland's next youth poet laureate?

"move the societal conversation to what the experiences of young males of color who have been damaged by marginalization, racial profiling, and over-surveillance look like, as well as inspiring them to break free from this system."

"I never considered myself a poet, I thought poetry wasn't for us - meaning people from Oakland, kids of color, males of color. I never thought of myself as a poet but I've appreciated that the Oakland youth poet laureate program has allowed me to feel more comfortable in that identity."

Oakland Public Library runs a 14-year-old youth poet laureate program that selects a poet laureate, a vice laureate, and finalists to represent the city for one year. Laureates and finalists host workshops, perform at community events, and develop a yearlong laureate project; past projects include a poetry pen pals program and youth storytelling about growing up in Oakland. Current youth poet laureate Cael Dueñas-Lara was 14 when appointed and aims to highlight experiences of young males of color affected by marginalization, racial profiling, and over-surveillance while inspiring change. Applications require three original poems, a 250-word artist statement, an adult sponsor, and are due Feb. 1.

Read at The Oaklandside