April is National Poetry Month\, so come c elebrate with Berkeley's current poet laureates\, Hanan Misri (2026-27 Ber keley Poet Laureate)\, Nolawit Ketema (2026 Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate) and Rachel Dunn (2026 Berkeley Vice Youth Poet Laureate). They will be rea ding and performing their original poetry\, before taking part in a commun ity conversation and audience Q&\;A. This program will take place at th e Central Branch (5th Floor) on Saturday\, April 18th at 2pm and is co-spo nsored by Berkeley Civic Arts. \;
\nLearn more about the \;< a href="https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/civic-arts/poet-laurea te">Berkeley Poet Laureate \;and \;Berkeley Youth P oet Laureate \;programs.
\nABOUT THE POETS
\n2 026-2027 Berkeley Poet Laureate Hanan Masri
\nBorn of war a nd gardens\, Hanan Masri is honored to be an ambassador and devotee to poe try and service learning. A Berkeley teacher for nearly 3 decades\, she&rs quo\;s relished the opportunity to support young people in finding their c reative voice\, mostly at her school site of 25 years\, Berkwood Hedge\, t he first racially integrated school in Berkeley. A certified herbalist and nutritionist\, her work explores themes of land as an extension of ancest ral longing\, particularly the mitochondrial haunt of her mother's Palesti nian-Lebanese lineage. Finally\, Hanan is cofounder of High Road Scholars\ , an education engagement business offering programming around nature\, in digenous cultures around the world\, the arts\, and movement for youth.
\n2026 Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate Nolawit Ketema
\nWriting\, especially poetry\, is how I make sense of emotions and ex periences I don&rsquo\;t yet know how to say out loud. It allows me to slo w down\, to sit with what I&rsquo\;m feeling\, even when those feelings ar e uncomfortable or unresolved. Through writing\, I give myself permission to notice\, to feel\, and to understand. Most of my work is rooted in genu ine emotions and lived experiences. When I write poetry\, I also write for the little girl in me who loved reading and dreamed of becoming a writer. For a long time\, that dream felt unrealistic\, something better hidden a way. When people asked what I wanted to be\, I learned to give safer answe rs. Now\, every poem is a way of honoring that younger version of myself\, the one who felt the need to conceal a true part of who she was. I write for children who are told\, directly or indirectly\, that their dreams are impractical or not enough. I write for the people who have walked with me through both joy and hardship\, shaping the person I am today. I know tha t many people\, especially young children\, don&rsquo\;t always feel drawn to reading or writing so my hope is to create work that feels honest and approachable. Poetry shouldn&rsquo\;t demand perfection or expertise\, onl y openness. If even one piece makes someone feel seen\, understood\, or le ss alone\, then the words have done what they were meant to do.
\n2026 Berkeley Vice Youth Poet Laureate Rachel Dunn
Rachel Dunn is in the ninth grade\, attending Berkeley High School. She ha s been writing for most of her life and enjoys reading books as well as po etry. She has been inspired by those around her who read\, write and pursu e their passions. She writes about her life and personal experiences\, as well as her observations about the world and the people around her.
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