Virginia Names 2026 Youth Poet Laureates, Elevating Young Voices for Change Across the Commonwealth

Teens With a Purpose celebrates youth leaders using poetry as a force for civic engagement, healing, and social impact

NORFOLK, VA — At a time when young people across the country are demanding to be heard, Virginia has named its newest youth poetic leaders.

Teens With a Purpose, in partnership with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program under the leadership of Urban Word, proudly announces the appointment of Tris Meagher of Midlothian as the 2026 Virginia Youth Poet Laureate and Breanna Downing of Chesapeake as the 2026 Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate, marking Breanna’s second consecutive year receiving the regional honor.

More than a poetry title, the Youth Poet Laureate distinction recognizes young people who are using their voices, artistry, and leadership to create change in their communities through civic engagement, advocacy, and creative expression.

“These young people are not only exceptional writers, they are truth tellers, bridge builders, and community leaders,” said Deirdre Love, founder and Chief Cultural Officer of Teens With a Purpose. “In a time when many youth feel unseen or unheard, these poets remind us that young voices are powerful enough to shape culture, challenge injustice, and inspire hope.”

The 2026 adjudication process included in-person evaluations held at the TCC Joint-Use Library and the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. Finalists and honorees were celebrated during the official announcement ceremony at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio on April 6.

Community leaders, educators, parents and arts advocates gathered to honor the young poets, including former Virginia Poet Laureate Tim Seibles, Norfolk Deputy City Manager James Rogers, and Norfolk Public Schools Senior Coordinator of Secondary English Jeremy Clark.

Performing under the poetic name “Verity Amour,” Breanna Downing creates  deeply personal work inspired by her experiences with hunger, survival and being unhoused. Through vivid storytelling and chilling repetition, Verity Amour’s Miss Mary Mack, performed at a gun violence awareness gathering at the Virginia State Capitol, confronts the human cost of gun violence by placing listeners inside the interrupted life of a young girl whose celebration becomes tragedy.

 “What I thought would be a memory for the books turned into my obituary.” Full original poem here

As Virginia’s official pathway into the national program, Teens With a Purpose continues to elevate youth voices from across the Commonwealth onto regional and national stages. The newly appointed laureates will now have the opportunity to advance toward becoming the next Regional and National Youth Poet Laureates.

For Teens With a Purpose, the moment represents something larger than competition.

“It’s about creating space where young people know their voices matter,” Love said. “Poetry becomes leadership. Poetry becomes healing. Poetry becomes a way for young people to imagine and build a better future.”

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Meet the 2026 Virginia Youth Poet Laureate (VAYPL) Winners

• Tris Meagher, Virginia Youth Poet Laureate

• Kira Brown, Ambassador City of Richmond

• Aesha Parekh, Ambassador City of Glen Allen

• Miyhari Bell, Ambassador City of Norfolk

  
  

Tris Meagher brings an exceptional level of civic leadership rooted in arts access and community engagement. As organizer and host of a monthly student-led reading series, Tris has created consistent public platforms for youth voice. Their civic involvement extends into environmental advocacy through leadership in a school environmental council. Tris also serves as a peer tutor across disciplines, directly supporting academic success among peers. Tris uses poetry as a tool for public dialogue, participating in conversations around local issues and community identity.

Kira Brown demonstrates a strong commitment to service and youth empowerment. As a member of the NAACP Richmond Youth Council and a volunteer with multiple community-based organizations, she actively contributes to initiatives that support equity, youth development, and access to resources. Through her involvement in local programs and school activities, Kira bridges athletics, arts, and advocacy, modeling well-rounded civic participation.

Aesha Parekh exemplifies global and local civic engagement through service, education, and mentorship. Her volunteer work spans international service efforts and local community-based initiatives, including developing a structured poetry mentorship program that connects high school students with middle school youth. Through leadership in debate, Model United Nations, and STEM outreach, she consistently engages in dialogue, education, and cross-cultural exchange.

Miyhari Bell is a youth advocate whose work centers on healing, safety, and community awareness. Through public performances at advocacy events such as Gun Violence Awareness and Environmental Justice initiatives, she uses poetry as a direct tool for social impact. Her leadership within Teens With a Purpose including mentoring younger youth and supporting program spaces, reflects a commitment to creating safe, empowering environments for her peers.

Meet the 2026 Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate Winners

• Breanna Downing, Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate

• Greyson McCarthy, Ambassador City of Newport News

• Isabella Langslow, Ambassador City of Virginia Beach

• Benjamin Robinson, Ambassador City of Chesapeake

BreAnna “Verity” Downing is a 18-year-old Freshman attending Virginia Wesleyan University. Verity discovered her poetic voice at the age of 8, inspired by her mother, a published poet. Her journey deepened in ninth grade when she joined TWP and began merging her passions for songwriting and poetry. Verity has received multiple Move Maker Awards and has represented Hampton Roads Youth Poets on national stages like Space City Slam and Brave New Voices, where she was honored with the Spirit of the Slam Award. Poetry is her sanctuary, a way to speak when the world goes silent. Verity says “ Poetry is our reminder that joy is a radical act of resistance to oppression.  Don’t forget to use the power of your poetry to cultivate self love too”.

Greyson McCarthy exemplifies civic leadership through direct community involvement and policy exposure. As a member of the Mayor’s Youth Commission in Newport News, he represents youth voice in civic spaces while contributing to community initiatives. His internship with the Virginia Poverty Law Center provided hands-on experience in policy and advocacy, while his year-round volunteer service and leadership as founder and captain of his school’s debate team reflect a deep commitment to civic dialogue and engagement.

Isabella Langslow contributes to her community through arts leadership and cultural engagement. As a concert MC, dramaturg, and collaborative performer, she plays a key role in making the arts accessible and engaging for audiences. Her work in performance spaces and dedication to balancing academics, employment, and artistic practice reflect a strong commitment to discipline, collaboration, and community-centered storytelling.

Benjamin Robinson uses poetry as a tool for dialogue, mentorship, and cultural reflection. He actively facilitates discussions on identity, culture, and perspective in academic spaces, encouraging peers to engage in meaningful conversation. Through his role in his school’s literary magazine, he mentors younger writers by providing editorial feedback and guidance. His work reflects a commitment to fostering understanding, amplifying voice, and building community through languageThese exceptional young leaders will serve as ambassadors using their platforms to engage peers, address community issues, and inspire positive change across Hampton Roads and Virginia.

Meet the 2026 Norfolk Youth Poet Laureate

Brianna Belcher is a Senior at Granby High School who is passionate about equity, immigration and environmental justice. She is part of BloomForce, a horticultural internship program  at Teens With a Purpose’s Purpose Park that is a safe creative space. She serves as a Peer Leader providing food to her community and advocates for her community on issues such as Gun Violence in Richmond, VA.

About the Virginia Youth Poet Laureate Program

The Norfolk, Hampton Roads & Virginia YPL Program is part of a national initiative that identifies and supports young writers and leaders committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement, and youth empowerment. Teens With a Purpose is the  licensed organization representing the Hampton Roads and Virginia YPL programs. 

The winners have the opportunity to apply to be the next North-Eastern Regional Youth Poet Laureate and ultimately National Youth Poet Laureate, the title held once by Amanda Gorman, Presidential Laureate for the inauguration of President Joe Biden. 

The Virginia Youth Poet Laureate Program, is supported by Urban Word, founder of the National Youth Poet Laureate program.   TWP  is also a  member of the YPLs founding cohort formed in 2013.  Teens With a Purpose’s YPL program  identifies, supports and helps to cultivate young writers who are committed to civic engagement, artistic excellence, and youth leadership. These young laureates serve as cultural ambassadors for their cities and the state, using poetry to drive social change.

Follow TWP’s work at www.twpthemovement.org and on social media @TWPTHEMOVEMENT to get involved.

To learn more about the Youth Poet Laureate program or to book the laureates for engagement, visit www.twpthemovement.org.