NYC Youth Poet Laureate

The NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program

The NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program is where poetic excellence meets social impact.

We’re looking for young writers, leaders, and change-makers ready to use their voices to shake the system and write the next chapter of our country’s legacy.

Every fall, 10 NYC-based finalists, ages of 15-19, are chosen to step into a 5-week, in-person workshop series– a creative bootcamp to level up your writing, performance, and presence. It all leads to the big stage: a live commencement event where one standout voice will be named the next New York City Youth Poet Laureate.

The title-holder receives professional and creative mentorship, is given access to high-level performance opportunities, and becomes eligible to compete for state and national youth poet laureate titles.

Meet the 2026 NYC Youth Poet Laureate:

HOSHIKO HSU

HOSHIKO HSU is a Taiwanese-American poet from Queens who holds the title of 2026 NYC Youth Poet Laureate. An alumna of the Adroit Journal Summer mentorship, she is most notably a Scholastic medalist, YoungArts winner, and a finalist for New York State Youth Poet Laureate and the Bennington Young Writers Award. Her performances have been featured at Federal Hall, the New York Public Library, and Harlem School of the Arts, while her work is forthcoming or been published by YoungArts, Urban Word NYC, and The Eunoia Review. Hoshiko is passionate about using poetry as a bridge for youth empowerment and fostering cultural dialogue. Her work mainly explores racial justice, queerness, and self-temporality, often grounding itself in the lived experience of growing up in New York City.

For Booking & Media Requests, email info@urbanwordnyc.org

The NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program

The NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program is where poetic excellence meets social impact.

Meet the 2026 NYC Youth Poet Laureate:

HOSHIKO HSU

Past NYC Youth Poet Laureates

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