Title
Honoring and congratulating the 2023-2024 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Oyewumi Oyeniyi, for her artistry, achievement, leadership, and daily commitment to using her poetry to stand up for her community.
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WHEREAS, Oyewumi, a senior at Cristo Rey High School, was born on Staten Island to Nigerian and Liberian immigrants and moved to Philadelphia as a toddler. She began writing as early as she can remember and started exploring poetry by the first grade. Growing up in a large family, Oyewumi saw poetry as a natural escape and release. Writing became a powerful way for her to express her voice and get her feelings out; and
WHEREAS, As her love and skill for poetry grew, she studied under the City's former poet laureate, Trapeta Maysonnot. She also began writing about the issues she saw in her community: gun violence, homelessness, waning community trust, and attacks on the dignity of vulnerable groups. In particular, Oyewumi wrote and continues to write about the marginalized groups that are closest to her heart, including immigrant families, queer, transgender and nonbinary Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, During her four years at Cristo Rey High School, Oyewumi also worked as a student journalist, participated in mental health advocacy work, and won multiple prizes for her outstanding leadership. These include the College Board African American Recognition Award from College Board and the 2023 Widener University High School Leaders Award, which recognizes students in the region who have demonstrated leadership by standing up for what is right, finding a way to address a wrong, or making a significant difference in their schools or communities; and
WHEREAS, As a student journalist, Oyewumi holds a position with the Youthcast Media Group and has published two articles - one about climate storytelling and its importance in the environmentalist movement and another about 988, its impact on communities, and its future; and
WHEREAS, Oyewumi's writing on...
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