Seattle Arts & Lectures is delighted to announce that Azura Tyabji has been invited to perform at the third annual National Youth Poet Laureate Commencement on April 4, 2019 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The event celebrates the five Regional Finalists, of which Azura is one, and announces the new 2019 National Youth Poet Laureate.
Born and raised in Seattle, Azura Mizan Tyabji is serving as Seattle’s 2018/19 Youth Poet Laureate. As a writer, spoken word performer, facilitator, and educator, what motivates every aspect of her artistic practice is a love for community, justice, and healing. If her words leave you feeling hopeful, empowered, or thinking deeper, she has achieved her goal as a poet. She hopes to continue challenging and expanding her craft and giving back to the city that inspires her. She is 18 years old and a graduate from Nova High School. Azura’s first book of poetry will be published this May with Poetry NW Editions. The book will debut at Northwest Folklife at a celebration which will also crown next year’s Youth Poet Laureate.
Azura is averrable for interviews. Please contact SAL with requests.
About the YPL Program: A joint program between WITS and Urban Word NYC—with support from Northwest Folklife, Poetry Northwest, and the Academy of American Poets—the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to identify youth writers and leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement, poetry and performance, human relations, diversity, and education across Seattle. SAL, WITS, and our other partners recognize that youth voices and community engagement are vital for empowering young people to effect positive changes in their communities and beyond.
About Seattle Arts & Lectures: Founded in 1987, Seattle Arts & Lectures champions the literary arts by engaging and inspiring readers and writers of all generations in the Puget Sound region. SAL’s programs include the Literary Arts Series, Poetry Series, Women You Need to Know (WYNK), Journalism Series, SAL Presents, Hinge, Local Voices, Summer Book Bingo, the Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program, and Writers in the Schools (WITS). For more information about SAL, visit lectures.org.
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