Emerson College Partners with Mass Poetry to Elevate Teen Poets

The poets of the future presented their works of today as Emerson College hosted Mass Poetry’s 2^nd Annual Teen Spoken Word Festival last weekend.

The festival drew teenagers from across Massachusetts to share their poetry, and was presented in partnership with Emerson’s Department of Writing, Literature & Publishing, the Social Justice Collaborative, and HIVE.

“Our aim is to engage and empower the next generation of poets, sparking creativity and fostering a community that values diverse voices,” said Daniel Johnson, Executive Director of Mass Poetry. “This event is more than just a competition; it’s a platform where young people can confidently express themselves, break down barriers, and engage meaningfully with others.”

Photos by Francois Visuals

“Sweet Resistance” was the festival’s theme. It included workshops, poetry slam competitions, open mic sessions, performances, and activities to inspire and engage teen participants.

A highlight of the festival was the individual slam finals on Sunday. Participants needed to have competed in one of the preliminary rounds held across the state during the last two months. The individual slam competitions are also qualifying events for the Mass Poetry Youth Slam team, where selected poets will engage in writing, performance, and slam competitions throughout the summer. Mass Poetry is sending the team to Brave New Voices, a national youth poetry slam festival.

Not only is the festival meant to showcase young talent, but it also provides guidance from Boston’s experienced poets and educators. That includes Writing, Literature & Publishing Assistant Professor and former Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, MFA ’22, who, along with WLP Distinguished Professor Jabari Asim, led Emerson’s involvement with Mass Poetry and the Festival.

“Students felt welcomed and supported. All members of staff onsite were extremely supportive,” said Olayiwola, who said all of the events were well attended. “I am honored to be serving as an educator [at Emerson].” 

Parker-Vincent Alva, the current Boston Youth Poet Laureate, a Mass Poetry SW@MP member, and a two-year participant in the EmersonWRITES program, was a participant at the festival.

“I want my poetry to get across to the world that you aren’t who you are, until you try to be yourself,” shared Parker Vincent-Alva. “Last year’s festival offered a supportive space to share our stories, and I’m grateful for the friendships and inspiration it fostered.”