Elani Spencer

Welcome Writers and Readers!

This website is home to Elani Spencer's favorite poems and short stories she's written as well as her accomplishments and performance videos. You can follow along on her writing journey as she will be updating this website frequently with new, exciting content! Keep up to date with her blog to see what she writes next.

Poetry is the vulnerability of the soul

- Ria K.

Photo Gallery

Elani was interviewed for the Artemis Journal after her poem "Wash Day, Rebirth" was published in the 2024 edition.

Elani leading a bilingual black-out poetry workshop called "Threads of Truth" at the Melrose Branch Library.

Elani being photographed at Main Library after interviewing librarians for her presentation at the Virginia Association of School Librarians Conference (VAASL).

Martha's Vineyard Writers Conference

I attended the 2025 Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Summer Conference. Here, I connected with writers of all ages, participated in poetry/fiction workshops that introduced me to new styles/forms and many writing resources, and engaged in a one-on-one manuscript session with a teaching artist who gave me great feedback and a new perspective on my forthcoming collection. Also, best of all, I got to explore the beautiful island and enjoy the great beaches and amazing seafood. I left with many new poems under my belt, and with new excitement for writing.

City of Roanoke Summer Internship

I was one of thirteen interns for the City of Roanoke Summer Internship program. I got the chance to work with the Roanoke Arts Commission and help develop their Arts and Cultural Plan that will serve the City for 10 years. The purpose of this plan is to outline our goals for art programming and list strategies for making the Arts more accessible and affordable for everyone. I completed research on different communities across the U.S.,
so we can use their plans as a guide. Also, I helped with set-up and take down for community planning circles, creating marketing materials, completed outreach, and led event planning. I cant wait to see the positive change this plan will create!

Smithsonian Festival

I was invited to be a participant in the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife and Culture Festival. I joined
other Youth Poet Laureates and storytellers at the Wordsmith cafe to lead workshops, perform original poetry, and speak in discussion panels. I got the chance to connect with artists from across the world and collaborate with them on projects. For example, I did a joint performance with ABOP, the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists. They played West African Jhembe's
while I read a poem inspired by their work. Also, I observed a professional skateboarder and
wrote a poem showing the similarities between skateboarders and poets. In addition, I wrote a
rap and performed it using a beat created by a Bolivian rapper who shared his wisdom on
songwriting. Lastly, I was interviewed by a teen-led radio station called WXOX. When off the clock, I visited other tents to learn about stonework, basket weaving, and different cultural foods.
Besides this, I enjoyed performances by salsa dancers, a mariachi band, and learned how to contra
dance from a folk band. The Smithsonian showed me great hospitality by paying for my
transportation, accommodations and food while I was in DC. This was my second fully-paid
writing related trip, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Sister City Poem

The Sister City Committee in Roanoke requested me to write a poem capturing the relationship between Roanoke and its very first sister city, Wonju, South Korea. Roanoke and Wonju have had a connection for 60 years now, and the mayors travel back and forth to deliver gifts to one another. These gifts are meant to give the residents in each respective city a taste of the others' culture, and create a sense of understanding and belonging. This year, Mayor Joe Cobb wanted to bring poetry, and he believed no person could do a greater job than the Roanoke Youth Poet Laureate herself. My poem is called "Life Long Friendship," and I highlight both the nature and the art scene in each city. I talk about the murals, the local food, and artist spaces while using the process of paper making as an extended metaphor for creating a healthy relationship. Wonju is known for Hanji, a special paper created from mulberry trees. I hope this allusion to an integral part of their culture will show how much Roanoke appreciates and respects their traditions. Mayor Joe Cobb will be on his way to Wonju, South Korea at the end of August, and I can't wait to hear their reaction to my work. The fact that my poetry is now going international is so surreal to me, and I am beyond excited to see whose hands it will land in next.

Artists Feature

Elyse Spencer (24), Baltimore, Maryland

Graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in Photography and a minor in Gender & Women Studies. Currently pursuing a M.A. at the Maryland Institute of the Arts. Specializes in portraits and camera stills. Partakes in paper making and digital art as well. Elani has written some ekphrastic poetry based on their work that can be found on her blog.

Visit their photography website at: elysespencer.myportfolio.com/work

Elantra Spencer (29), Houston, Texas

Graduated from Norfolk University with a B.A. in political science. Received a M.A. in Homeland Security from George Washington University. A real estate agent selling houses in the Greater Houston area who goes by the name, "Your homegirl Elantra."

Follow her on Instagram at:
@yourhomegirlelantra