By Staff Report
FROM: Signal Tribune

The new Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate (LBYPL) program is being formed by The Long Beach Public Library and the Arts Council for Long Beach in order to provide local kids with literary arts, civic engagement and performance opportunities.

“Adding to the incredible diversity of arts in Long Beach, the Long Beach Youth Poet Laurate Program will give kids an opportunity to express themselves creatively through yet another medium with written and spoken word programs,” Mayor Robert Garcia said.

The Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate program was established by a city council agenda item that was unanimously approved, and originally brought forth by Councilmember Rex Richardson and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jeannine Pearce, Dee Andrews and Roberto Uranga.

“From Langston Hughes to Maya Angelou, our most prolific writers began at an early age,” said Councilmember Rex Richardson. “We are thrilled to be joining the National Poet Laureate movement, now in 41 cities across the country, in creating a platform to promote literacy and creativity, while inspiring and amplifying the voices of our diverse and talented teens.”

One laureate and multiple poet ambassadors will be chosen to represent Long Beach’s youth in literacy and the arts through performances, mentorships and other projects. Read Rest of Article Here