04/20/2026
Words Beats & Life is proud to celebrate the newest voice carrying the legacy of poetry, leadership, and civic engagement in our city, Kayla Nelson, the 2026 DC Youth Poet Laureate.
A student at Coolidge Early College Academy, Kayla began performing poetry at just 11 years old through DC SCORES. Since then, she has grown into a dynamic artist and leader, serving as a poetry slam judge, teaching assistant, and mentor to younger writers across the city.
As Youth Poet Laureate, Kayla represents the power of young people to shape culture, speak truth, and build community through the written and spoken word. This role recognizes not only artistic excellence, but also a commitment to advocacy, leadership, and impact.
Through the Youth Poet Laureate program, Words Beats & Life continues to uplift young voices as cultural ambassadors for Washington, DC, providing platforms for performance, mentorship, and civic engagement across the region and beyond.
Join us in celebrating Kayla Nelson and the future she is helping to write.
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