SAN FRANCISCO — In a vibrant celebration of youth and the power of poetry, the San Francisco Public Library, 826 Valencia and Youth Speaks, alongside Mayor Daniel Lurie, invite the public to an electrifying poetry performance on Friday, January 23, when the City’s new Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Laureate will be announced. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Main Library's Koret Auditorium, with entry on Grove Street, and will showcase the work of a dynamic cohort of 13 teen poets from across San Francisco.

“San Francisco’s future is being written right now by the next generation of San Franciscans and these extraordinary young poets,” said Mayor Lurie. “Their voices are bold and reflect the creativity of our city. I’m proud that we are celebrating this talent and welcoming a new Youth Poet Laureate who will carry forward San Francisco’s powerful literary legacy.”

The Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Laureate will serve as cultural ambassadors, continuing San Francisco's tradition of appointing poets laureate to represent the city's rich literary heritage. This initiative underscores the city's commitment to fostering young voices and promoting the arts within the community.

“San Francisco’s literary heritage has always been shaped by bold, young voices,” said Michael Lambert, City Librarian. “By investing in the next generation of poets through this celebration and the Youth Poet Laureate program, SFPL is ensuring that our City’s rich literary tradition continues to grow and reflect the voices of today’s youth.”

"These young poets are our city's future changemakers and leaders, and we are thrilled to support them in sharing their voices. We have been blown away by the talent in this group and cannot wait for the community to hear from the poets. Collaborative programs like this one showcase the vibrancy and innovative spirit that make San Francisco special,” said Bita Nazarian, Executive Director of 826 Valencia.

“The SF Youth Poet Laureate competition and celebration are a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are trusted with the microphone and the city truly listens,” said Bijou McDaniel, Director of Narrative Change and Communications at Youth Speaks. “This program is built on deep collaboration with 826 Valencia, the SF Mayor’s Office, Urban Word and the San Francisco Public Library, and together we have created a genuine space that honors youth creativity, truth-telling and leadership. At its core, the Youth Poet Laureate exists to uplift young voices as culture-shapers and change-makers. These poets have made us incredibly proud by showing what is possible when youth are not only heard, but celebrated.”

Since fall 2025, a cohort of young poets have been developing their craft alongside talented instructors, including other Bay Area Poet Laureates. These workshops have been instrumental in nurturing the artistic and civic engagement skills of San Francisco's youth. Hear from all of the students at the Youth Poet Laureate showcase, and join us in celebrating our city's future cultural leaders.

The event is free and open to the public, offering an opportunity to experience the power of poetry and spoken word as expressed by San Francisco's youth. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is limited. Reserve a seat now.

About San Francisco Public Library: San Francisco Public Library connects our diverse communities to learning, opportunities and each other. The library system is made up of 27 neighborhood branches, the San Francisco Main Library at Civic Center and four bookmobiles.

About 826 Valencia: 826 Valencia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting under-resourced students aged six to eighteen in San Francisco with their creative and expository writing skills and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

About Youth Speaks: Youth Speaks creates spaces that challenge young people to develop and amplify their voices as creators of social change. By providing free arts education to youth with limited access, Youth Speaks programs empower young people with opportunities to discover and develop their own voices. As the leading literary arts and spoken word organization, Youth Speaks has served hundreds of thousands of youth in the Bay Area and across the nation over the last 29 years. Learn more at youthspeaks.org.