Saniya Pearson of Fort Washington named 2024 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate
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Contact: Patrick Washington dialectofpgcounty@gmail.com
Saniya Pearson of Fort Washington named 2024 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate
On January 11th, the 2024 cohort representing excellence in youth poetry competed for the title at Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville.
Mitchellville, MD — On Thursday, January 11th, five outstanding youth poets performed and were honored for their creativity & community activism at The 2024 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate Finals. The poems performed, which covered a wide range of topics, displayed the depth, diversity and craftsmanship that belied their young ages.
This event was the final, performative phase in determining who would represent the youth voices of Prince George’s County during the rest of this year, engaging the public in various forums, one of which will be their very own 2024 reading tour in conjunction with PGCMLS. The event also featured performances by former YPL Sainey Ceesay, a parting poem by outgoing 2023 Prince George’s YPL Precious Foreman, and a special appearance by Poet Laureate of Peorge’s County, Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman who also served as one of the judges for the evening alongside Poet, activist & Program Coordinator for Creative Suitland Arts Center, Pi-Anir the Poet, and the Inaugural Poet Laureate for Prince George’s County, Sistah Joy Alford.
The earlier phases which occurred during the fall included an application submission documenting each teen's poetic & community engagement, and an interview phase where applicants discussed their influences & what initiatives they would pursue as the Youth Poet Laureate. Joining our new Youth Poet Laureate will be four outstanding finalists from across Prince George’s who have now been appointed Youth Poet Ambassadors for their areas & will work together on creating & implementing an awareness campaign for youth-related issues - they are:
ARIANNA BOSLEY - BRANDYWINE
ANGIE CASTELLANO - NEW CARROLLTON
CHIMWEKELE OKORO - NEW CARROLLTON
DE’JUAN OUZTS-WILLIAMS - CAPITAL HEIGHTS
THE PGC YPL Program is a joint venture of Urban Word of NYC, DIALECT of Prince George’s, and Lyrikal Storm, with support from the Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council, M-NCPPC Dept of Parks & Rec, and our partners at the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations, with generous support from county residents like you
FOR MORE INFO: 301-237-6684