07/21/2026
What an honor to serve as a judge for the New Voices Poetry Semi-Finals. 🤎
Poetry truly saved me as a child, so to come full circle as an adult and witness these incredible young artists bravely share their stories was something I’ll never forget.
One of my favorite moments was having my son by my side as my co-judge. Watching him listen, learn, and experience the power of spoken word through the voices of youth was an eye-opening experience for both of us. It reminded me how important it is for our children to see spaces where vulnerability, creativity, and truth are celebrated.
Congratulations to every single competitor. Your courage, creativity, and vulnerability are inspiring. Keep telling your stories—they matter.
A huge shoutout to our 1st Place winners, Ink Theory! 🏆👏🏾 Your performance was nothing short of incredible. The precision, attention to detail, time, dedication, and passion behind every piece were evident from beginning to end. I am so proud of each of you and excited to see where your gifts take you in the future. This is Black excellence on full display, and your voices are making a lasting impact.
Thank you bravenewvoices CieraJevae , for allowing me to be part of such a meaningful experience. The future of spoken word is in good hands, and I can’t wait to continue watching this next generation of artists lead with courage, purpose, and authenticity. ✨🎤🤎
Community ArtHeals NextGeneration InkTheory
