Oakland’s Youth Poet Laureate: Courage, vulnerability, and wisdom

On June 7, 2019 twelve young poets took the stage at the Oakland Museum of California to speak their truth, show their talent, and find out which teen poet would represent their peers and their town for the next year as Oakland’s eighth Youth Poet Laureate. Ten Finalists as well as the 2018 and the 2012 Oakland Youth Poets Laureate moved the over 200 members of the audience with their poems about what it’s like to be young with a black body, young with a female body, young in an adult jail, young and unsafe on the streets, young and losing one’s best friend, young with parents who are not present or stable, young with new-found hope, and more.

One poet performed in sign language. One poet was on a stage for the first time in their life. One poet had already been published in the New York Times. One poet showed in her poetry the grace she has as a dancer. One poet had an injury from her track meet. One poet could only be seen on video because he’s in jail on a probation violation from a case that has been overturned.

From the event: Jordan and Peggy, ATD Fourth World USA Board of Directors’ President

Faith Lemon, ATD Fourth World USA Board of Directors’ Vice President who was in the audience at the end of a row said, “Midway through a performance, I looked to my left, and was struck by the fact that every single face was transfixed on the poet. No phones, no fidgeting. Complete attention and appreciation for the courage, vulnerability, and wisdom coming from the stage. Like we were all participating in something sacred and rare that could only be experienced and carried in that single moment in that poet’s life.”

Samuel Getachew, 16-year-old senior at Oakland Technical High School, will serve as Oakland’s Youth Poet Laureate for the next year. All these poets will perform and do workshops all over town, support each other, and continue to inspire and challenge audiences of all ages.

The Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program is part of the Oakland Public Library, where ATD Fourth World USA Board of Directors’ President, Peggy Simmons works and has the luck to coordinate the program.