This year, the City Of Roanoke launched a Youth Poet Lauriate program through the Roanoke Arts Commission.
Elani Spencer, the inaugural Youth Poet Lauriate, presented her poem “Perennials” to the Roanoke city Council in February.
★ Read Elani’s poem, “Perennials” (PDF)
★ Hear Elani reading “Perennials” (YouTube) in the YPL promotional video
★ Read the Roanoke Times coverage (online article and PDF)
★ Read the Roanoke Tribune coverage (PDF)
★ Watch the presentation to City Council (at mark 9:35 in the Facebook video)
★ Share this link to encourage a young poet age 13 through 19 to apply
Elani Spencer is a 18-year-old, first-year student at Hollins University. She came to Roanoke from Rochester, NY. Elani was named the Roanoke Youth Poet Laureate through a competitive process in the fall of 2023. Learn more about our first Roanoke Youth Poet Laureate in the Q&A here.
2024 Roanoke Youth Poet Laureate Elani Spencer (with supporters from left Amber Lowery of Roanoke Public Libraries, Arts Commissioners Becky Carr, Vice-Chair William Penn, Charlene Graves, Arts and Culture Coordinator Douglas Jackson, and Roanoke Arts Commission Chair Meighan Sharp) after her introduction to Roanoke City Council on February 20, 2024.) Photo courtesy of Katherine Devine.
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 