Race and Community Loss from a Teen Poet’s Perspective

Leila Mottley, 16, is the 2018 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate. She talked with YR Media about what inspired her to write her poem, “Love Poem to Oakland.”

The poem offers a look at the changes Mottley sees in Oakland. Watch the video to hear Leila’s perspective on what it means to live in a city that’s becoming more and more expensive.

RELATED: Meet The Teen Poet Whose Love Letter Is a Call To Action

To hear Leila read her poem, check out this video:

For more about the Youth Poet Laureate Program: https://www.oaklandlibrary.org/teens/events-programs/youth-poet-laureate-program