A poet youth laureate’s mission to empower you
Poet Youth Laureate of Mississauga, Tahira Rajwani, shares her story in finding strength through poetry and her determination in spreading empowerment.

Through her passion for poetry, Tahira Rajwani loves giving back to her community. As the Poet Youth Laureate of Mississauga, she is on a mission to make spoken word known and celebrated. Through her consistent efforts in open mics, writing workshops, and community events, Rajwani works to ensure that young people feel the empowering and connecting effect of poetry.

In an interview with The Medium, Rajwani talks about what motivated her to share this art form with others and the role of poetry in her life. She also lays out her clear vision to make spoken word accessible, digestible, and alive in the places where youth gather.

More than a literary genre

For Rajwani, poetry isn’t about exclusivity or literary complexity. “Poetry doesn’t have to be complicated,” she said. “It is a genre that’s crafted by marginalized groups for marginalized narratives.”

Rajwani sees spoken word as deeply rooted in marginalized histories — a form created by communities whose stories have often been overlooked. Poetry is a vehicle for those communities to resist against oppression, fight for representation, and reclaim their identity. 

A pathway to express and connect

To Rajwani, her role as Poet Youth Laureate is more of a commitment than a title. She saw it as a motivation to actively create space where poetry can be shared. Through participating in open mics and writing workshops, Rajwani strives to build a culture where young people feel empowered to share their stories through poetry, whether on stage or on paper. 

“Poetry is more accessible, digestible and more understandable [than most think],” she said. “Poetry is for everyone. It can be whatever you want it to be.”

Rajwani expressed that spoken word poetry can be both personal and collective. It can be a medium for one to build and connect with the community, while amplifying their individuality.

From teenage angst to youth laureate

Rajwani’s journey as a poet began as a secret she kept to herself. In her early teenage years, writing wasn’t about stages or audiences — it was about release. Poetry was something that Rajwani turned to when she didn’t yet have the language to explain how she felt. Over time, those private reflections turned into purposeful verses. 

While Rajwani’s writing skills improved, one thing remained unchanged: poetry is something that she wants to pursue out of joy, not pressure. It’s a part of who she is, not a career she tries to mold herself into.

As she grew more confident in her voice, Rajwani’s work began shifting toward themes of feminism and diaspora, which allowed her to connect deeply with her audience. At 15 years old, Rajwani placed second in her first on-stage experience at a poetry slam (a competitive art form where poets perform their poetry against fellow poets and in front of an audience). 

Rajwani commemorates that experience as a turning point, from writing in the margins to standing proudly in the spotlight. It was the moment Rajwani realized what once felt like a secret could also be a bridge.

Building community through art

Rajwani’s work is reshaping how young people in Mississauga engage with poetry. Her workshops bring people from all over the GTA together and create a space where youth can explore and experiment with poetry, and express themselves. “I want youth to know this space is theirs,” said Rajwani. “Whether they write one line or perform a full piece, their voice matters.” Through her efforts, spoken word is becoming a community practice.

Looking forward

Rajwani’s long-term goal is to make spoken word a sustained and celebrated part of Mississauga’s cultural fabric. Her focus is to create more opportunities for youth to perform, collaborate, learn and grow.

“Poetry is for everyone, and everyone should know that.” She reiterated for all the writers in the Mississauga community. Rajawani’s experience demonstrates the transformative power of art when it serves not only as a form of expression but also as a means to uplift the community.

To learn more about Rajwani’s work and Mississauga poetry events, check out her Instagram page, @saugapoetry.