The 2nd annual Detroit Youth Poetry Con is coming to Wayne State University in March.
The event will be hosted by InsideOut Literary Arts, one of the nation’s leading youth writing programs, on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Wayne State University Student Center.
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Admission is free and open to attend for all teens ages 13-19.
The Detroit Youth Poetry Con is a day-long series of dynamic workshops where teen poets will get the chance to meet and learn from esteemed writers including best-selling poet and essayist Ross Gay and Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer, participate in community building activities, and share their writing with their peers and industry professionals. This year’s workshops will focus on generating new creative writing across multiple genres and career paths within the arts.
The event will conclude with a special edition of InsideOut’s Visiting Writers Series, which will be held at Wayne State University’s Hilberry Gateway Theatre from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to hear work from Gay, Comer, and some of Detroit’s emerging youth poets. General admission tickets for the Visiting Writers Series are priced at $25, while Superfan tickets, priced at $60, will include a signed copy of Gay’s “THE BOOK OF (MORE) DELIGHTS’' along with reserved orchestra seating. All proceeds from The Visiting Writers Series will benefit InsideOut’s transformative creative writing programs for Detroit youth.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our students – and the greater community, for that matter – will have the opportunity to see Ross Gay and Nandi Comer at our upcoming Poetry Con,” says Suma Karaman Rosen, Executive Director. “While certainly distinct, both of these writers beautifully exemplify the power of finding, honing and sharing your unique voice – that’s something that InsideOut wants all our young people to experience, and something I personally find deeply soul-affirming.”
“Poetry Con is the largest convening of teen writers in Detroit and provides a special space where students experience a culture of community, inspiration and joy,” says Justin Rogers, Citywide Poets Manager. “InsideOut hosts the event, but it belongs to the students, so their feedback fuels everything we do. This year’s workshops focusing on both creative writing and careers in the arts, alongside ample open mic opportunities and activities, make this a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Metro Detroit teens.”