At Youth Speaks, the voices of youth matter.Committed to a critical, youth-centered pedagogy, Youth Speaks placesstudents in control over their intellectual and artistic development.We are urgently driven by the belief that literacy is a need, not awant, and that literacy comes in various forms.

Youth Speaks believes that having knowledge,practice, and confidence in the written and spoken language isessential to the self-empowerment of an individual. If young people arenot given the proper opportunities to become literate, in all of itsmany manifestations, and are not provided with an active network ofsupport services, it is very likely that they will not attain personal,educational and professional achievement, and therefore risk being leftbehind.

Youth Speaks fills a need forcreative approaches to literary arts education and literacy in general;we believe it is crucial to provide spaces where youth can undergo aprocess of personal growth and transformation in a program thatenriches their educational, professional and leadership skills.

As we more deeply move into the 21st Century,oral poetry is helping to define the American Voice in literature.Within the ever-growing community of spoken word, young writers arehelping to evolve the aesthetic at a rapid rate in thriving publicplatforms that are pluralistic and progressive. Youth Speaks argues fora concrete and ethical understanding of writing, one that requiresresponse, action, and performance. We aim to build structure aroundmulticultural and class discourse, so as to unveil deeper levels ofliteracy. By making the connection between poetry, spoken word, andclassroom settings, Youth Speaks provides teenagers with opportunitiesto develop their knowledge, practice, and confidence in their ownlanguage skills, leading them on a course to attain educational andprofessional achievement, and become leaders in their schools andcommunities.

Youth Speaks Educational Philosophy
Every time a thought is put into words, it is a creative act(thus the term, language arts). The same way a student recognizes andis able to practice visual arts by learning images, drawing, painting,and/or sculpting, a person’s language skills expand the more s/hecommunicates ideas, problems, feelings, and solutions.

Committed to a critical, youth-centered pedagogy,Youth Speaks places students in control over their intellectual andartistic development. We at Youth Speaks view literacy development asan active process as opposed to a passive acquisition of skills andknowledge. Youth Speaks’ Poet Mentors facilitate ‘real’ experiences with writing, reading, speaking, listening, and thinking.

Youth Speaks aims to deconstruct dominant narrativesin hopes of achieving a more inclusive learning experience. YouthSpeaks views creativity as an inclusive and innate attribute that allyouth possess. Rather than developing a craft, Youth Speaks offersteens the ability to freely explore their voice until their search foridentity feels natural.

Genuine investment in one’s futurebegins the moment an individual is convinced s/he possess a sense ofempowerment. Embodied in the Youth Speaks philosophy is a respect foryouth, as well as a continued dedication to their intellectual,personal, and artistic development.

Youth Speaks Poet Mentors serve as part of a classroom discourse, offeringsupport and encouragement. By sharing their own works, as well asproviding constructive feedback for youth, mentors offer narrative andexpository texts that are written in their original and naturallanguage. Contemporary and intergenerational readings bring togetheryouth and adults to validate authentic expression and to strengthen aliterary continuum. By expressing their thoughts with peers andmentors, students collectively transform the classroom from a site ofteacher-centered instruction to a community that promotesstudent-centered thought and dialogue.

Traditionalclassroom-settings embody a narrative-like character where littledecision-making relies on the concerns and perspective of students inthe class. Even in a ‘democratic’ class setting, youth may not alwaysfeel comfortable exercising their right to speak up or be heard,especially when giving voice to thoughts, ideas, or beliefs that areunpopular. This may leave students feeling alienated and/or discouragedfrom participating in class. Because traditional educational pedagogyprovides nominal opportunities for instructors to validate studentperspective, students ultimately assume the role of passive recipientsin their own education.

We at Youth Speaks seek to create a safe spacewhere youth feel confident sharing their voice and individualperspective. More importantly, Youth Speaks encourages youth to expressthemselves using their own vernacular. The idea of “talent” or being“talented” is often viewed as a mysterious force bestowed on a givenindividual, rather than the result of hard work, practice, andcommitment.