Last month, Long Beach crowned local teen Aja Sen as its 2026-27 Youth Poet Laureate (LBYPL) and revealed its newest batch of Youth Poet Ambassadors.
From now through the spring of 2027, Sen will serve as the city’s fourth Youth Poet Laureate, while Ruby Giles, Cecelia Rogers, Annali Bojorquez and Kieran Lundy will be Youth Poet Ambassadors. This year’s LBYPL class was announced during a live ceremony on May 16 at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.
“Long Beach is proud to support young artists who use their voices to strengthen community, inspire dialogue, and advocate for change,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Ajala Sen and this year’s Youth Poet Ambassadors represent the creativity, leadership, and vision of the next generation.”
According to the City, Sen’s work stood out due to her commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and advocating for underserved communities through her passion for poetry and music. The LBYPL program aims to help local youth channel their interests in poetry, storytelling and artistic expression to bring about civic engagement, creativity and positive community change.
“I hope to unite the community in such dark, unjust, and uncertain times and show the power the arts have in shaping our future,” Sen said in a public statement. “I’m looking forward to getting to know and working with the new LBYPL cohort. It feels like we’re building a strong community through poetry, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
As Youth Poet Laureate, Sen will receive a $1,500 scholarship as well as represent the city’s youth at public events, lead creative workshops and work alongside City departments and cultural organizations to bolster literary engagement and civic participation. Each of the Youth Poet Ambassadors will receive a $500 scholarship.
During their time in the program, this year’s cohort will partake in poetry and arts-focused workshops, community engagement activities and mentorship opportunities. They will also collaborate with local artists and organizations to accrue professional development experience and perform the works they develop via live readings, video recordings and gallery exhibitions.
“The Youth Poet Laureate program gives young writers a platform to amplify their voices and share stories that matter,” said Cathy De Leon, director of Long Beach’s Department of Library, Arts, and Culture, in a public statement. “We are excited to support this new cohort as they use poetry to inspire conversation, connection, and community impact.”
To learn more about the Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Program, visit the program website or call 562-570-7500.
