About 510 Journal

The latest issue of 510 Journal is a series of poems, prose, and essays written by teens in response to the prompt, what makes the Bay Area feel like home to you? Submissions were fielded by Chapter 510’s inaugural Youth Advisory Board. Written, edited, and published by teens, this issue of 510 Journal showcases the voices of Oakland’s youth around topics of home, belonging, and community.

510 Journal started out as a partnership with the Oakland Public Library’s Youth Poet Laureate Program in 2012, right when Chapter 510 was founded. Each year, until 2020, we commissioned local artist and children’s book author Robert Lui-Trujillo to illustrate a portrait of the Youth Poet Laurette and then created a poster with an excerpt from their winning submission. Thousands of 510 Journals were then printed and distributed to local libraries, schools, community centers, and restaurants.

In 2020, 510 Journal transitioned in to a monthly poem penned by a young writer participating in our programs. Poems were printed as a beautiful letter-pressed card or poster that were available for purchase in our store and sent via email to our community.

Read the latest issue of 510 journal below! Click into each to read poetry written by Oakland youth.