2023 DC Youth Poet Laureates Transcend Millenia With Their Poetry | DCPS Festival
Words Beats & Life Inc. passes the mic to the DC youth poet laureates during the DCPS Festival at the Kennedy Center’s iconic Millennium Stage.
Words Beats & Life Inc. is honored to select and host the 2023 youth poet laureates of D.C., Arlington County, and Montgomery County, unveiling the talent that rightfully earned them their titles. These teenage poets express creativity in language, serve their communities through social justice activism, and demonstrate leadership. Each poet is accomplished in their craft and continues to receive notoriety from outlets such as the Pushcart Prize, The New York Times, and the Poetry Foundation.
Meet Our 2023 Youth Poet Laureates!
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Allison Xu is a high school writer and poet from Rockville, Maryland. Her work explores the complexities of young adulthood, exploring themes of freedom, justice, choice, and breaking free from limiting beliefs. She is also a news writer and editor, leading community service efforts to advance racial equity and promote soft skills among youth. In 2022, she was selected as a Maryland Young Women Leaders Awardee.
Read more about Allison Xu.
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Ribka Desta is a young, black female poet from Arlington with diverse identities. Her poems have been recognized by American High School Poets, Arlington County, and the D.C Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Desta has a passion for leading programs and volunteering with elementary school students, both of which she focuses on as Youth Poet Laureate.
Read more about Ribka Desta.
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Sophia Hall is a nationally recognized poet and writer from Washington, D.C. Her writing has been recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the Library of Congress, and several other organizations. She is a US Presidential Scholar and continues to reach bigger heights with her artistry.
Read more about Sophia Hall.
The Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) Program is a joint program of Urban Word NYC and Words Beats & Life Inc., with support from local government & partnering organizations, which aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic & community engagement, artistic excellence, human relations, youth activism, diversity and education across the region.
We are now accepting 2024 YPL applications from youths aged 13 to 22 who reside in Arlington, Virginia, Montgomery County, Maryland, or Washington, DC.
