By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–The Oceanside Library and Cultural Arts Department, in partnership with the Oceanside Arts Commission, has announced acclaimed poet and educator Karla Cordero as the city’s inaugural O’Arts: Oceanside Poet Laureate for the 2026–2028 term.
As Oceanside’s first Poet Laureate, Cordero will serve a two-year appointment dedicated to celebrating the city’s diverse voices and stories through poetry. Her role will include creating original literary works inspired by the city’s people, culture, and communities while promoting poetry and the literary arts through public programs and community engagement.
Cordero is the author of How to Pull Apart the Earth, her debut poetry collection, which received a San Diego Book Award and was recognized as a Bronze Medal Finalist in the International Latino Book Awards. Her writing has appeared in Poem-a-Day from the Academy of American Poets, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, O, The Oprah Magazine, and numerous other publications.
An accomplished spoken-word performer, Cordero helped lead the San Diego Poetry Slam Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2013 National Poetry Slam Competition. She has also performed for NBC 7 San Diego’s Art Pulse, TBN’s Juice Live, the Old Globe Theatre, and at universities, literary conferences, and festivals throughout the United States.
Throughout her career, Cordero has earned numerous honors, including the COURAGE to WRITE Grant from the deGroot Foundation, a California Arts Council Fellowship, the San Diego State University Global Diversity Award, and the San Diego Writers Festival Community Educator of the Year Award. She is also a fellow of several prestigious writing organizations and residencies, including Macondo, VONA, Community of Writers, CantoMundo, Tin House, and the Pink Door Writing Retreat.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Cordero serves as executive director of the nonprofit arts organization Glassless Minds and teaches creative writing and composition at MiraCosta College and San Diego City College.
Residents can learn more about Cordero and her work by visiting her website or following her on Instagram at @karlaflaka13.
