Salome Agbaroji, 7th National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States Joins Room to Read as Global Ambassador
September 07, 2026
In advance of International Literacy Day, Room to Read, a global education nonprofit nurturing foundational learning skills in children, today announced Salome Agbaroji, the 7th National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States, as its newest global ambassador.
“On International Literacy Day, we celebrate the simple truth that every story begins with someone learning to read,” said Dr. Geetha Murali, CEO of Room to Read. “Literacy is where a story begins, but never where it ends. Salome Agbaroji reminds us that words are meant to be lived, not simply read. In her hands, poetry becomes an opening for others to find their own voice. Every child deserves that same beginning. That conviction has always been at the heart of Room to Read, and we are honored to welcome Salome as a global ambassador.”
As a global ambassador, Agbaroji will raise awareness and help mobilize fundraising efforts that advance Room to Read’s mission. Agbaroji joins Room to Read ahead of International Literacy Day and will support the organization’s Make Room to Read campaign, a global reading challenge during the month of September that also raises funds to provide age-appropriate, local language books to children who need them most.
“As a poet, literacy is my superpower: the fundamental skill that allows my beloved art form to exist. Literacy and quality education are not only a right of all, but the gateway to opportunity, self-actualizing expression, and freedom across all sectors of life. I look forward to joining Room to Read in our shared mission of ensuring no child goes without the foundational skills to write their own destinies,” said Agbaroji.
Agbaroji is the 7th National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States, a Nigerian American spoken word poet and Harvard student. She has performed for U.S. President Joe Biden and at the White House, the United Nations, the Golden Globes, the NFL Halftime Show, Fortune Magazine, and more. In 2025, she became the youngest speaker at the TED mainstage conference, where she debuted her original poem The Unprompted, exploring humanity in the age of artificial intelligence. She was also an ambassador for Vans' 2023 global brand campaign championing the power of creativity and expression.
Beyond the stage, Agbaroji is committed to advancing education equity and literacy while advocating for accessible learning opportunities and the empowerment of young people through the arts. As both an artist and activist, she continues to use storytelling to uplift communities, promote dialogue on global issues, and inspire the next generation of leaders and creators.
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