CALLING ALL POETS, SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS, EMCEES & WRITERS…

Win a chance to represent Jacksonville, FL as the

2022 JACKSONVILLE YOUTH POET LAUREATE

The Jax Youth Poet Laureate is a joint program of Urban Word NYC, Empowerment Resources, and the Performers Academy with support from the Jacksonville Public Library, Penmanship Books, the Academy of American Poets, Poetry Society of America, and Cave Canem. The Jax Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic & community engagement, poetry & performance, human relations, diversity, and education across Jacksonville.

From January 19, 2022, to February 19, 2022, we will accept submissions from young poets, rappers, leaders, and activists ages 14-18 from across Jacksonville who are interested in representing Jacksonville as the Jax Youth Poet Laureate. A group of esteemed judges will choose 5 Finalists, all given the distinction of the city of Jacksonville Youth Poet Ambassador, and we will select one teen to be honored with the title of Jax Youth Poet Laureate at Jacksonville Youth Poet Laureate Commencement Performance on Saturday, March 19, 2022 @ The Performers Academy, 3674 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.

Along with winning the prestigious title of Jax Youth Poet Laureate, the winning poet will also win an opportunity to be included in the National Youth Poet Laureate Anthology, as well as a library tour. The Jax Youth Poet Laureate and Jacksonville Poet Ambassadors will have numerous opportunities and platforms to share their powerful voices, their leadership, and love of Jacksonville at numerous events across the state. Urban Word and our other partners recognize that youth voice and community engagement are vital for empowering young people to affect positive changes in their communities and beyond. Local and national partners include the Jacksonville Public Library, Penmanship Books, the Academy of American Poets, Poetry Society of America, and Cave Canem.

CONTEST RULES/HOW to APPLY 2021 – 2022

Jacksonville Submission Guidelines:

1. Applicants must be current residents of Jacksonville & between the ages of 14-18 years old.

2. Please submit 5 original poems/raps/performances (and/or YouTube Links to your poems).

3. Include a RESUME that has your name, address, phone # and email, AS WELL AS detailing all your accomplishments, community service, after school programs, volunteer experiences and awards. If you prefer the online form for this, please visit www.jaxyouthpoetryslam.org to access the online application.

4. ONCE you are ready, you can submit your documents via email to poetry@empowermentresourcesinc.org or online at www.empowermentresourcesinc.org or https://www.jaxtpa.org/. Your entire application is due February 19, 2022. The 2021-2022 Jax Youth Poet Laureate will win a book deal from Penmanship Books, conduct a reading tour, and make special appearances throughout Jacksonville for one (1) year.

Note: The RESUME Template via the link is to help you in the process; however, if you want to use your own, feel free to email that (+ your 5 poems or YouTube links) to poetry@empowermentresourcesinc.org. This resume is an opportunity to share everything you have done, so put it all in there. Feel free to BRAG about yourself and your accomplishments!