The Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, Vincent Folkes, as well as our four Youth Poet Ambassadors, Abigail Gallen, Oladunni Bejide, Jayla Andrews, and Lily Weatherford-Brown, will be presenting their poetry, inspired by their experiences as young people at this moment in history. The evening will consist of live and recorded segments created by the youth poets. City of Asylum is excited to share the work of these talented poets.

City of Asylum's All Pittsburghers are Poets: Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County program recognizes young writers who excel in the poetic arts and have made contributions to social justice and civic engagement.

Vincent Folkes is a 19-year-old creative, entrepreneur, and college sophomore studying Business at the Community College of Allegheny County. He began writing songs and later transitioned into writing poetry, creating beats, mixing, and mastering music.

Abigail Gallen is a 17 year old rising senior at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. She is the founder and president of the Social Justice Club at North Allegheny High School. She is also a former staff writer for Affinity Magazine and has won awards for her articles focused on social justice.

Oladunni Bejide was born in Rhode Island and is 14 years old. She moved to Nigeria when she was nine, and later moved to Pittsburgh, PA where she now attends CAPA's in the literary program. She is an honor student who participates in several sports and a writer that dabbles in many genres.

Jayla Andrews is a 17 year old graduating senior from Westinghouse Arts Academy. She is a published writer and has won a variety of contests, including The American Library of Poetry’s youth poet anthology Illustrious and Crossing Limit’s I, Too, Am Pittsburgh bus poetry showcase.

Lily Weatherford-Brown is a 17-year old Youth Ambassador of Allegheny County. Her poetry explores definitions of self through a blend of memory, history, nature, and political commentary.

City of Asylum is grateful for support from the following partners:

This project received a RADical ImPAct Grant from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). Urban Word is the primary partner for the Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, an official member of National Youth Poet Laureate Program.

The Show Must Go On(line) is made possible thanks to generous support from the Benter Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation, the Opportunity Fund, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and an Anonymous Foundation.

Youth Poet Laureate Commencement Performance presented by City of Asylum