Oakland Names Obasi Davis as Youth Poet Laureate

Obasi Davis, a 17-year-old founding member of the poetry ensemble Young, Gifted and Black, has been named Oakland's 2013 Youth Poet Laureate, according to an announcement from the Oakland Public Library.

Obasi was chosen from among eight finalists in the annual competition, which included students from Oakland Technical High School, Holy Names High School, the Oakland School for the Arts and the Head Royce School.

Born and raised in Oakland, Davis attends Berkeley High School. He will receive a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to officially represent the Oakland community through poetry, media and public appearances.

"A tenacious student of prose and poetry since age 12, Davis has dedicated himself to his craft in workshops, at open mics and on stage at some of the nation's largest performance venues," the library announcement says.

"He's shown tremendous leadership in Oakland and across the Bay Area as a member of Spokes, Youth Speaks' teen advisory board and production training program.

"In 2013 he earned a spot to represent the Bay Area as a member of its delegation to the Brave New Voices international Teen Poetry Slam and Festival.

"California Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, a judge in the competition, calls Mr. Davis 'a rare master of the out-breath, born into consciousness, singing ….

"'With the humanity-voice of Gwendolyn Brooks, the long-jeweled line of Ginsberg and his own Obasi magic, here stands a giant poeta in the making -- for the people of Oakland and the world.'

”Judge Raphael Cohen, a poet and local publisher, immediately recognized Davis as a frontrunner.

“'He bravely engages the painful puzzles of young adulthood in an era that alternately derides or dismisses young people's experiences, turning inward to explore his, and our, capacity for truth-telling and change-making.

"'Expertly balancing a focused rage with an irrepressible tenderness, Davis is certain to inspire and activate a new generation of leaders through both the written and spoken word.'

Now in its second year, the Youth Poet Laureate competition was staged by Oakland Public Library’s Teen Services Department, in partnership with Youth Speaks, ProArts Gallery, Oakland School for the Arts and more than a dozen community partners.

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