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.
THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE 2025-2026 PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED.
Kai Diata Giovanni is a Brooklyn-based poet and performer who holds the title of 2024-2025 NYC Youth Poet Laureate. Their work routinely explores race, rage, radical justice, and belonging. Kai published their first book of poetry, “The Words That Need To Be Heard,” at 13 years old. Kai was a 2024 Urban Word Slam Team member and the first runner-up in the 2023 New York State Youth Poet Laureate competition. They have organized and performed as an artivist (artist-activist) with A New Black Arts Movement, Art and Resistance Through Education (ARTE), Girl Be Heard, and Bridges: A Pan-Afrikan Arts Movement. Kai has performed at the Brooklyn Museum, the Blue Note Jazz Club, the Guggenheim, Lincoln Center and more. Kai will be attending Howard University in the fall.
For Booking & Media Requests, email info@urbanwordnyc.org
You must be between 15 –19 years old and a current resident of New York City.
A Short Bio:
Your bio should tell us a bit about who you are, your personal background, community work (i.e. volunteer work, activism, etc), and artistic & academic accomplishments. (For tips & an example, see our Crafting Your Bio guide)
Work Samples:
3 poems that best represent you as a writer. We suggest sharing work that shows us what social justice or civic issues you’re passionate about.
Optional – Performance Clip:
We encourage applicants to share a video clip of themselves performing 1 poem (any theme/subject) so that we can see you in action.
The NYC Youth Poet Laureate will serve a one (1) year term, make special appearances throughout NYC, and will receive support in applying to be the Regional, State, and the National Youth Poet Laureate.
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