Boston Youth Poet Laureate
The Youth Poet Laureate works with the City's Poet Laureate to celebrate and grow the role of poetry in young people’s lives across Boston and beyond.
The Boston Youth Poet Laureate (BYPL) is a writer and advocate who brings poetry to Boston’s classrooms, libraries, and neighborhoods through their work.
In this role, the BYPL performs original works at civic events, brings poetry into schools and libraries, leads a special interest project, and works closely with Boston’s current Poet Laureate, Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, to strengthen the City’s literary community.
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Have questions? Contact:
Arts and Culture
Apply
Update: Deadline extended!
We’re searching for Boston’s next Youth Poet Laureate. The Youth Poet Laureate is equal parts artist, performer, leader, and advocate, with a tenacity to use poetry and the arts to amplify youth voices and inspire the city.
The deadline to apply is November 7, 2025 at 8 p.m.
Application Guidelines (Please read before applying!)
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be 13-19 years old
- Have lived in the City of Boston since January 2025 or earlier
- Display a strong commitment to the local literary community
- Be enthusiastic about fulfilling duties and serving in a public facing role
- Be willing to present work in public and be comfortable with public speaking
Timeline
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Application Opens |
Monday, September 15, 2025 |
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Office Hours |
Zoom: September 30, 2025 at 5 - 6:30 p.m. In Person: Teen Central at the Boston Public Library - Central Library (700 Boylston Street)
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Application Closes |
Friday, November 7, 2025 at 8 p.m. |
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Application Review Period |
Early November 2025 |
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Interviews |
In mid-November to early December, 5-8 candidates will be invited to participate in an interview with the selection panel. In the interview, candidates will be asked to perform and answer questions from the selection panel. |
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Notification |
All applicants will be notified of their application status in early December. |
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Final Announcement |
The Youth Poet Laureate will be announced in early January. |
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Boston Youth Poet Laureate Term |
The Youth Poet Laureate serves a two year term, beginning in January 2026 and ending in January 2028. |
Meet the Youth Poet Laureate
Meet the Youth Poet Laureate
Parker-Vincent Alva
Youth Poet Laureate
Parker-Vincent Alva is a student and writer from Boston, MA. He writes poetry and prose centering on the intersection of desire and identity. A 2023 YAWP Teen Fellow and the 3rd Youth Poet Laureate of Boston, he aims to increase public appreciation of literature and push the boundaries of what's possible. When he's not at his desk, you can find him destroying his kitchen trying to bake.
Carnivores by Parker-Vincent Alva
Each Youth Poet Laureate has the opportunity to publish a chapbook of their work to be made available at all 26 locations of the Boston Public Library.
Boston's third Youth Poet Laureate, Parker-Vincent Alva, released his chapbook "Carnivores" in August 2025. Parker's poetry centers on the intersection of desire and identity.
Former Youth Poets Laureate
Former Laureates
Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett
2022-2024 Youth Poet Laureate
Anjalequa was born and raised in Roxbury before moving to Roslindale. During her time as Poet Laureate, she was a student at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science, where through the 826 Writers Room, she was given a space and community to truly hone and admire her love and technique for writing and poetry. Her cleverness and artistry stems from her own life experiences and wanting to connect with those around her. She has volunteered with organizations such as A-VOYCE and BARCC to spread awareness of social issues that impact her community and help make and be the blueprint for change. In everything she does she makes it her mission to express the feelings of people around her and her own, and create a bright, and better future ahead.
Anjalequa was named Boston's second-ever Youth Poet Laureate in February 2022.
Alondra Bobadilla
2020-2022 Youth Poet Laureate
Alondra Bobadilla was named Boston's first-ever Youth Poet Laureate in January of 2020. Through her work, she aspires to build bridges between different world views and unravel personal revelations of the bond between past and present, God’s providence, and the curious mundane. She is inspired by the beauty of transitory experiences and demonstrates how creative expression can be a powerful tool for youth to examine pressing topics and utilize their voice as a catalyst for social impact. She is the author of a collection of confessional-styled poems and journals entitled “With Clipped Wings”. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Alondra performed "A Home of My Own" during the City of Boston's Immigrant Heritage Month Virtual Celebration in June 2020. Watch the virtual celebration.
Alondra's Poems
Who's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
Arts and Culture
