← Back to News & Events

Boston Announces First-Ever Youth Poet Laureate

January 13, 2020

 Boston’s first Youth Poet Laureate, Allondra (left), poses with Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola (right).

This weekend, after an extensive search, Allondra Bobadilla became Boston’s first-ever Youth Poet Laureate. This budding writer will now serve a two-year term writing, teaching, and promoting poetry throughout the city under the mentorship of Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola.

The Boston Youth Poet Laureate finalists await the announcement of the winner.

Over the past few months, 826 Boston teamed up with Porsha Olayiwola, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, Mass LEAP, the Boston Public Library, and Urban Word to promote and recruit for this new position. Ten finalists were selected from across Boston, representing various styles of poetry and subjects of their writing.

826 Boston student Tariq performs his poetry at the Boston Public Library.

On Saturday, these finalists performed their writing at the Boston Public Library. One of those talented poets was Tariq, a student who worked with 826 Boston to publish his writing in our poetry anthology, The Whole World is Watching. Tariq was named one of the top three poets by the panel of judges during this city-wide search.

We want to extend a huge congratulations to Allondra, Tariq, and to every finalist for being the city of Boston’s best young poets! We’re looking forward to working with Allondra in promoting the beauty of poetry over the next two years


← Previous

Where 826 Boston Is From

Next →

Changing Perceptions in Dorchester with Mass Humanities

Share this story

Join our newsletter