Emi Wong Shing Named Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate

The 17-year-old student will serve in the role throughout the 2026-27 academic year.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Youth

Emi Wong Shing Named Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate

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Emi Wong Shing, a senior at Germantown Friends School, has been appointed as the 2026-27 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate. The 17-year-old poet is known for work exploring the African Diaspora and Black culture.

Why it matters

The program selects a young writer to act as an ambassador for literary arts within the local community. Shing plans to utilize the position to host poetry workshops and increase access to creative writing resources for local youth.

Shing is 17 years old and previously earned two Gold Key medals from the Alliance for Youth Authors and Writers during her sophomore year.

The players

Emi Wong Shing

She is a senior at Germantown Friends School and an accomplished poet of Trinidadian and Dominican descent.

Germantown Friends School

This is a private Quaker school located in Philadelphia where the current Youth Poet Laureate is a student.

The details

Shing has developed her craft through participation in the Kenyon Review Young Writers program and the Iowa Young Writers Studio. In 2024, the Trinidadian and Dominican poet also received an American Voices nomination.

Shing received an American Voices nomination in 2024.
Shing serves as Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate for the 2026-2027 term.

Culture Shift

This appointment aligns with the national Youth Poet Laureate program's emphasis on youth civic engagement through literary arts. The city joins a growing movement that prioritizes student voices as ambassadors for local cultural expression.

Residents can expect increased opportunities for student-led poetry programming and workshops across the city. These events offer young writers in Philadelphia new venues to develop their craft and engage with local literary culture.

The takeaway

Shing is now focused on completing her final year of high school while navigating the college application process. Her tenure promises to expand the reach of literary education for fellow students in the area.