2024 VA + Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate

This great opportunity is back again in 2024! VA + Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate is a joint program of Teens with a Purpose, Hampton Roads Youth Poets, and in partnership with Urban Word, supported by PEN Center USA and the Academy of American Poets.

Spoken word artists, poets, rappers, writers and emcees are invited to enter to win a chance to represent the state of Virginia as the Virginia or Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate.

The winner will also earn the right to apply for the National Youth Poet Laureate.

Pre-register Here for More Information and Instructions on Applying. You can pre-register through February 1, 2024.

About the program: The Norfolk Youth Poet Laureate program aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement, poetry and performance, and leadership and education across Hampton Roads. In 2016, the program expanded to include all of the Hampton Roads cities. Teens with a Purpose is accepting submissions from young poets, rappers, leaders and activists ages 13-19 from across Hampton Roads and Southeastern Virginia who are interested in representing the region as the Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate.