AHollins undergraduate has been selected as Roanoke’s first Youth Poet Laureate.

Elani Spencer ’27 earned the title through a competition sponsored by the Roanoke Arts Commission in partnership with Roanoke Public Libraries and Soul Sessions Roanoke. The initiative welcomed young poets between the ages of 13 and 19 who are civic-minded and whose quality of work is demonstrated through their performance and commitment to the community.

Meighan Sharp, visiting assistant professor of English and creative writing at Hollins and volunteer chair for the Roanoke Arts Commission, said, “Our program identifies powerful youth poets who have a history of artistic success, civic and community engagement, social impact, and youth leadership.”

The Roanoke Youth Poet Laureate program is part of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program founded by Urban Word to celebrate youth at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic engagement. The Roanoke Arts Commission is working with Spencer to provide opportunities for her to share creative thought at various city and state events.