Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - In a live ceremony held at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on May 16, Ajala Sen was named the 2026 Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) of Long Beach. This prestigious recognition celebrates Sen's passion for social change and her ability to shed light on the vulnerable truths and needs of the Long Beach community through her literary work.

Sen, who is the fourth Youth Poet Laureate of Long Beach, was joined by four Youth Poet Ambassadors who were also selected as part of the Long Beach YPL program: Ruby Giles, Cecelia Rogers, Annali Bojorquez, and Kieran Lundy. The event was attended by Mayor Rex Richardson who expressed his pride in supporting young artists who use their voices to strengthen community, inspire dialogue, and advocate for change.

According to Mayor Richardson, Sen and her fellow Youth Poet Ambassadors represent the creativity, leadership, and vision of the next generation. Sen was chosen as the 2026-27 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate for her commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and advocating for underserved communities. Her use of poetry and music to inspire connection, political awareness, and change aligns with the spirit and purpose of the Long Beach YPL designation.

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The Long Beach YPL program empowers local youth to inspire civic engagement, creativity, and positive community change through poetry, storytelling, and artistic expression. As part of her role as Youth Poet Laureate, Sen will serve a one-year term and receive a $1,500 scholarship. She will also represent Long Beach's youth at public events, lead creative workshops, and collaborate with City departments and cultural organizations to promote literary engagement and civic participation.

Expressing her excitement about this opportunity to make a difference in her community through poetry, Sen said "I hope to unite the community in such dark unjust times and show the power that arts have in shaping our future." She also looks forward to working with the new LBYPL cohort and believes that they are building a strong community through poetry.

Joining Sen in this year's cohort, the 2026 Long Beach Youth Poet Ambassadors will each receive a $500 scholarship. Over the next year, they will participate in workshops, mentorship opportunities, and community engagement activities centered on poetry and the arts. They will also gain professional development experience through collaborations with organizations and artists throughout Long Beach.

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Cathy De Leon, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture for the City of Long Beach, believes that the Youth Poet Laureate program gives young writers a platform to amplify their voices and share stories that matter. She is excited to support this new cohort as they use poetry to inspire conversation, connection, and community impact.

For more information about the Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Program or to get involved, visit their website or call 562.570.7500.

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