Emerson Sophomore Named Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador

Amina Adeyola ’26 was named Virginia Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador of Richmond for 2023-2024 through Teens With a Purpose, a Virginia-based youth empowerment organization.

Through the Virginia Youth Poet Laureate Program, Adeyola is eligible to compete to become Regional Youth Poet Laureate for the Southeastern Region, and then compete for the title of National Youth Poet Laureate.

Previous National Youth Poet Laureates include Amanda Gorman, selected in 2017, who, in January 2021, was asked by President Joe Biden to read her poem, “The Hill We Climb” at his inauguration. She since has been profiled in Time Magazine, delivered an original poem at the Super Bowl, and published a number of poetry collections and children’s books.

Youth Poet Laureate programs across the country look to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to community engagement, performance poetry, leadership, and education.