TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM

The Trinidad and Tobago Youth Poet Laureate Program is an initiative of Urban Word – the largest and most comprehensive youth literary arts organization in the United States of America in collaboration with
ROOTS Foundation – Community Excellence Award (2022), National Youth Award (2021) and Organization of the Year Award (2020) recipient and most comprehensive creative youth development organization in Trinidad and Tobago.

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM

Urban Word NYC in collaboration with ROOTS FoundationTT

To commemorate Cascadoo Caribbean New Voices International Festival of Spoken Word and to launch
ROOTS Poetry Slam “I Have Something to Say!” Urban Word NYC in collaboration with ROOTS FoundationTT, endorsed by the National Library and Information Systems Authority, NALIS (T&T)  will launch the inaugural Trinidad and Tobago Youth Poet Laureate.

The Trinidad and Tobago Youth Poet Laureate Program is the local arm of the US National Youth Poet Laureate Program. The T&T Youth Poet Laureate will be amongst celebrated US Youth Poet Laureates such as Amanda Gorman (2017) who opened at the 2021 US Presidential Inauguration. The Trinidad and Tobago Youth Poet Laureate Program celebrates the Region’s top powerful youth poets who have a history of Artistic Success, Civic and Community Engagement, Social Impact, and Youth Leadership.

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Meet the Inaugural Trinidad & Tobago Youth Poet Laureate (2023)

MISHAEL HENRY earned this prestigious title by winning the 2022 edition of ROOTS Poetry Slam “I Have Something to Say!” He has been a spoken word performer since 2018 and a Junior Core Artist (2022) attached to The 2Cents Movement.

 

This youth prodigy is a First Citizens National Poetry Slam Finalist (2023), winner of the En ToTo Keys to Success Positivity Competition (2019) and Raise The Bar Champion (2019) slam team captain. Mishael particularizes his poetry based on gender-based violence and governmental issues in society. He sees himself creating rapid innovation in the lives of youths in the nation by inspiring them to use spoken word poetry for change. Mishael epitomizes the spirit of the Youth Poet Laureate as his poetry “champions, centers, and elevates young marginalized voices at the intersection of the literary arts and civic engagement.” He participated in the “Her Story, Our Story” campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the “I am Here: Borders of Hope” campaign to raise awareness about migrant issues, and the “Pan to the Poet” three-part video series featuring three pairs of poets highlighting topics related to interactions and relationships between Venezuelan migrants and locals through spoken word poetry.

 

In his spare time Mishael is a co-facilitator for the “We Write” spoken word workshops, spoken word coach and judge, and creatively hosts Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) Prep Workshops and SEA Graduations alongside his mentor, Derron Sandy – Performance Poet

Urban Word champions, centers, and elevates young marginalized voices as leaders at the intersection of the literary arts and civic engagement.

ROOTS Foundation uses oral traditions, with a focus on spoken word poetry, as a catalyst for social change, self-expressions, and self-discovery.

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BENEFITS OF THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM

Benefits to Youth

  • ❑ 1 st place winner at ROOTS Poetry Slam
  • ❑ Youth Artist-in-Residence Poet
  • ❑ Captain of ROOTS Poetry Slam
  • ❑ Participation at Brave New Voices
  • ❑ Participation at Cascadoo (USA & T&T)
  • ❑ Youth Ambassador ROOTS TT & Urban Word NY
  • ❑ International Best Practice in Civic Engagement and Poetry Curriculum Development
  • ❑ Local and International Print, Electronic and Social Media Exposure
  • ❑ Writing Retreat, Workshops, Training, and Professional Development Opportunities
  • ❑ Eligible for the National Youth Poet Laureate (USA)
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Benefits to Organizations

  • ❑ Build Systems of Networks and Support between both Organizations
  • ❑ Annual Global Convening and Youth Exchanges at Cascadoo New York (July)
  • ❑ Annual Global Convening and Youth Exchanges at Cascadoo Port of Spain (August)
  • ❑ Strengthening Relationships between Organizations and local Public Libraries
Youth Poet Laureate Partners

Join us in elevating marginalized voices through the power of spoken word poetry. Celebrate the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Poet Laureate Program and support the next generation of literary leaders.

Get involved with Urban Word and ROOTS Foundation today!