Elani Spencer is a 2023 graduate of School of the Arts High School in Rochester, New York.
She is a young poet passionate about writing and sharing poetry inspired by African American history and current events that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds. Her passion for poetry blossomed in advanced creative writing classes, and her work earned recognition from local and national competitions, including the Sokol Writing Awards and the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. She also worked at Writers and Books, a literary center dedicated to fostering creativity.
Currently, Elani is pursuing a B.A. in English and Creative Writing with an arts management certificate at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, and is on track to graduate in 2027. While pursuing her studies, Elani is involved in the arts community in Roanoke. She served as Roanoke’s first Youth Poet Laureate from 2023 to 2025, performing original poetry at public events and teaching poetry workshops at local libraries and schools. She is also a member of the Arts and Cultural Steering Committee, where she contributes to planning arts programming for the City of Roanoke over the next ten years.
Some of Elani’s recent accomplishments include being published in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Artemis Journal and having her poetry gifted to Roanoke’s sister city, Wonju, South Korea. When she is not writing, Elani enjoys hiking with her service dog, Rosemary, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.