The 2025 ~ Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) has announced the launch of the 2026 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) Program in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach and supported by Urban Word NYC. This annual program celebrates young writers and community leaders who use poetry to inspire change and amplify their voices. Applications for the 2026 cohort will open on November 15, 2025, and are open to Long Beach residents between the ages of 13 and 18.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his support for the program, stating that "poetry has the power to connect people and inspire understanding across generations and neighborhoods." He believes that through this program, Long Beach can continue to uplift youth voices and celebrate the power of art to bring communities closer together.

The application period for the 2026 YPL will be open from November 15, 2025, until February 28, 2026. Interested applicants must submit a completed YPL application, a curriculum vitae outlining their civic and social engagement, a brief biographical statement, and a portfolio of five poems. Full application details and submission guidelines can be found on the YPL webpage, including information on how to receive application assistance.

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A panel of local poets will review all submissions, and finalists will be notified via email in spring 2026. These finalists will then have the opportunity to perform their work at a public celebration in May where the next Youth Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Ambassadors will be announced. The selected Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $1,500 scholarship while each Poet Ambassador will receive a $500 scholarship in recognition of their achievements.

In addition to scholarships, members of the YPL cohort will also receive mentorship from a local poet and access to various resources aimed at helping them grow as artists and leaders. These resources include staff support, participation in creative writing workshops, and opportunities to collaborate with local organizations and the literary-arts community. By the end of the program year in April 2027, YPL participants will have contributed to a citywide literary initiative, honed their artistic skills, and formed meaningful partnerships with community leaders and organizations across Long Beach. This program highlights the city's commitment to fostering creativity, literacy, and civic engagement among its youth.

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Cathy De Leon, Director of the Department of Library, Arts, and Culture, believes that "the Youth Poet Laureate program empowers young people to use their creativity as a force for change." She finds it inspiring to see how each participant transforms their personal experiences into art that strengthens community connection and civic pride.

The National Youth Poet Laureate program originated in New York in 2008 and has since expanded to over 70 cities across the United States. Long Beach joined this growing network in 2023. Earlier this year, Ezequiel Correa from Ernest McBride High School was named the 2025 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate at the annual Finals event on May 17. He is joined by Youth Poet 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 workshops, poetry readings, and community events until the end of the program year in spring 2026.

For more information on the Youth Poet Laureate Program or how to apply for the 2026 cohort, visit the Long Beach Public Library's webpage or call 562.570.7500.

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