Resources for Young Poets and Poetry in Washington DC - Meet DC Poets and Listen Up: Poetry Heals [VIDEOS]

Meet two promising Washington DC poets and find a list of useful links for poets in the DC area at the end of this post. Listen to what Saint and JayTee have to say. In these brief interviews I asked them about their generation challenges, their poetry and why teenagers should write and speak up.

These are videos that I recorded during the DC Youth Poetry Slam, held last week at the Columbia Heights Community Center. Feel free to share them.

"Hope is in the Parents - This is a Pissed Off Generation
Poetry Helps - Just Vent"
Saint Butler is a young poet in Washington, DC. Listen to his words:



"Poetry Challenges Me
I Really Don't Know my Future But Can't Forget My Past"
Meet DC poet JayTee. This is John, he is a most talented poet:

Resources for Young Poets in Washington, DC, area

I collected this links and if you know of any other, please write a comment.

Word Works is inviting all DC High School students and poets to submit your poems for its Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition, it's free, you got until March 31. Read more information here.

Register now for the 2010 Split This Rock Poetry Festival & Book Fair to be held in Washington, DC, from March 10 to 13. This is an open festival for all ages and for "poets, writers, artists, activists, dreamers, and all concerned world citizens" and there is a fee to register but it is really worth it. Scholarships available. Go to this link.

Poetry Out Loud is a recitation contest for young poets, grades 9-12, run by the National Endowment for the Arts & Poetry Foundation, in all 50 states. The 2010 National Finals will be held in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2010. Register here.

The DC government has a Teen Program through its Department of Parks and Recreation, for teenagers ages 13 to 19, they have programs all year long. Check their website here.

Sol y Soul is a non profit working with young artists, poets, singers, mostly Black and Brown kids but open to everyone. They usually rehearse at Gala Theater in Columbia Heights, you can contact them at their Facebook Page.

The Library of the U.S. Congress [the biggest in the world] has a special program for Poetry, with resources, news and events. If you live in DC and like poetry then you MUST visit this website.

The Writers Center is a non-profit and independent literary organization and a community of writers, located in Bethesda, MD. They hosts literary events, readings and conferences, and is open for all ages and levels. Check their website here.

DC Poetry, is a website dedicated to promote and announce poetry readings in Washington, DC. This is their website.

The Beltway Poetry Quarterly posts news, events and book releases of poetry in the greater DC area, including northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs. You can submit your event here.

The Academy of American Poets, has several events, readings, programs and useful links posted in its DC chapter website.

Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshops, is a non-profit working with teenagers who are incarcerated as adults at the DC Jail. They assist over 50 kids per year, using books and writing to empower juveniles "to transform their lives." Check their website here.

GALA Theater has programs for young artists very often. Although they are a "Hispanic" institution, they welcome students of all races. Visit them in this website.

The Poetry Society of Virginia." Since 1923 the PSV has been striving to encourage excellence in the writing, reading, and appreciation of poetry." Click here.

The Virginia Writers Club. "A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of writers and poets, screenwriters and playwrights, journalists and essayists, and other publishing professionals."
Maryland Poetry, features poetry and events and links in Maryland. Check their website.

Hope these resources help. Get your word out!


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