Chapter 510-Sense of Belonging
This young lady is Oakland’s new Poet Laureate. This is maybe the 8th or 9th time I’ve painted a portrait for Chapter 510 and the Oakland Public Library‘s annual poet laureate program. It’s an honor to paint these rising and shining minds and an honor to be commissioned by Chapter 510.
You can read her work HERE
Update: This young poet just got her novel “Nightcrawling” featured by Oprah Winfrey!!
Dig this? Check out some of the other portraits I’ve painted:
Journalist Jamilah King
This is the 7th portrait that I’ve done for Chapter 510 , an Oakland based organization that works with young people to foster love for writing, reading, and literacy. Each year for the past 3-4 years they have asked me to paint one or more of Oakland youth who have become Oakland’s poet laureate and this project is in collaboration with the Oakland Public Library and Youth Speaks in San Francisco. Check out the original below. And this Friday if you’re in Oakland please go to Chapter 510 to see this young lady read among others, and Ch 510 will be releasing a new book!
Check out the 510 Journal which features the poetry of youth from the many programs that Chapter 510 holds to encourage and support creative writing in this city.
Now they have this sanctuary. A writing center to be, where my murals sit everyday waiting to make new friends among books, zines, artwork, and artifacts that inspire “Make Believing.”
All our kids, mine included, need artists and allies in the classrooms supporting teachers and bringing learning home through making and believing.