Youth Speaks Celebrates 20 Years of Slam Poetry

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 (Photo: Youth Speaks)

Two decades ago, San Francisco-based Youth Speaks held one of the country's first teen poetry slams. The event was a success and helped launch a nationwide youth poetry movement. Founder James Kass says he wanted to create a "safe space... for young people to speak out against what they feel is injustice, to celebrate their lives, to be a spark for change." Kass and two young poets join us to perform their work and talk about the legacy of Youth Speaks.

Guests:

Gabriel Cortez, poet mentor, Youth Speaks

Tamia Romo, poet, member of SPOKES, the student advisory board of Youth Speaks

James Kass, founder and executive director, Youth Speaks

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