Following the announcement of Truth Thomas as the inaugural adult poet laureate of Howard County at the Blackbird Poetry Festival this past April, HoCoPoLitSo— together with our partners at Howard County Arts Council and the Office of County Executive Calvin Ball— invites one and all to attend the announcement of the first local young writer to be selected as Howard County Youth Poet Laureate, to be held Monday, September 23rd, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Busboys and Poets in Columbia.

The Youth Poet Laureate program, announced in fall of 2023, is an honorary one-year position selecting a young author from the Howard County area, ages 14–21, who demonstrates a passion for poetry and its power to connect our communities through local public readings and participation in civic events. Applications were accepted April to May this year, and reviewed by an independent panel organized by HoCoPoLitSo and made up of local poets and educators Joseph Ross, Naomi Ayala, and Steven Leyva. Acting on the panel’s recommendation, the Youth Poet Laureate will be formally appointed by the County Executive to act as an ambassador for literacy, arts, and youth expression.

This event is free and open to the public, but requires registration to attend: please click here to register.