![]() Barnes says, “ Poetry is more than the words written for the speaker, poetry is more than the dept h s of emotion that it evokes, poetry is more than myself and every other poet before me. On being the 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Ms. As a woman who leads with her heart, she says, her words have never steered her wrong and with every new journey she embarks on, a poem follows. She has created educational videos and, as a student journalist, press releases about topics including voting rights, discrimination against Black women, and Black hair and how it defines her culture. In addition to being the 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Barnes many accomplishments include winning the Superior and Impressive Writing Chops award at her high school, Oakland Military Institute, a published op-ed in Teen Vogue, Black Women on Body Discrimination, From Colorism to Natural Hair Discrimination, and a published poem in the 2016 book, Accomplished, a collection of poems by The American Library of Poetry.īarnes defines herself as a poet, artist, and activist. The award was announced by District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran on Friday evening at the culmination of a packed standing-room only live event during which all seven F inalists performed.īarnes, a 2022 graduate of Oakland Milit ary Institute, will represent the Oakland community through poetry, media a nd public appearances. “Their words hold power and with th e Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program’s plat form, we hope that everyone in Oakland, and beyond, will have the chance to be moved by and learn from everything that Nairobi and all these young poets will share with us.” ![]() "We are so excited to welcome the new Laureate, and all of the 2023 Finalists into our incredible community of poets ,” says Sharon McKellar, supervising librarian for teen services at the Oakland Public Library. ![]() Nairobi Barnes, 18 years old, has been named the 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate after competing with six other Finalists , winning a $5,000 college scholarship generously funded by the Friends of the Oakland Public Library.
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