oakland youth poets laureate

OAKLAND YOUTH POETS LAUREATE

Oakland Youth Poets Laureate -    Block Community Hub

Cael Duenas-Lara is a second-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in the vibrant and diverse city of Oakland. Writing has been one of his few outlets of expressing himself. He is proud to showcase the rich history and culture of his family and community.  His writing is inspired by the lived experiences of growing up in Oakland, a city that is often viewed through the lens of struggle, despair, and lawlessness. Yet, it is also a city full of resilience, hope, and a deep sense of community. 


Symi Gabriel is an 11th grade student at Gateway to College. Poetry for Symi is a way to understand and tackle their emotions head on. Instead of waiting to understand their emotions before they write about them, they put them down on a page as a way of understanding and processing. Writing is a way to slow down their mind and take a snapshot of their current emotional state.  They often choose to tackle the intersection of their political and personal life experiences to create connections to the world at large, especially in the context of Oakland. 


Ella Gordon has loved poetry for as long as she’s been able to read and write. Poetry started her addiction to emotion, her desire to convey a reaction or feeling that seemed so immense that it couldn’t have come from words. But poetry, to her, is an expression beyond words, it’s a voice.  Poetry creates a gateway for her to navigate the world, it allows her to find meaning and purpose in even the most minute or mundane aspects of life and express her passion for relevant issues. 

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4pm Leg 1 - Block Community Hub