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State of the Word

Presented by Youth Speaks Nashville at Vanderbilt University - Sarratt Cinema

November 7, 2009

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Middle Tennessee's top college and high school poets, emcees, and spoken word artists will convene to showcase the year's top youth spoken word performances. The State of the Word is an opportunity for Tennesseans to hear from the next generation of leaders as they elucidate their hopes, dreams, fears, and concerns. Co-hosted by Youth Speaks Nashville and Vandy Spoken Word, The State of the Word is the region's leading youth poetry event.

Last year, more than 300 people watched over 40 poets from 7 universities and 12 high schools and middle schools perform. This year, organizers anticipate representatives from Vanderbilt, Belmont, TSU, MTSU, Western Kentucky, Fisk, Maplewood, Hunters Lane, Overton, Stratford, Big Picture, Hillsboro, MLK, Hume Fogg, LEAD, Jere Baxter, and East Literature. The State of the Word is sponsored by Vanderbilt University's Commons, Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, Admissions, Writing Studio, and Office of Leadership Development & Intercultural Affairs. This April's Mid South youth poet delegation returned home from the national finals with the winner of both the individual poet and emcee competitions. The team also placed TSU student Zuki Modunkwu on a green team of poets who perform at environmental events and conferences around the nation. Youth Speaks Nashville has been building a culture of literacy in Middle Tennessee since last summer by conducting creative writing and spoken word residencies, workshops, shows, slams, and open mics at colleges, high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and youth organizations. Youth poetry is trending across the nation as young people realize this new opportunity to express themselves and develop their voice.