Words are power. And Urban Word equips young voices to harness their power as leaders at the intersection of the literary arts and civic engagement.

We provide platforms for critical literacy, youth development and leadership through free and uncensored writing, social impact and performance workshops & opportunities. We are the founder of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, a renowned program that celebrates youth for their excellence as writers and their impact on their communities.

Through the transformative power of the written and spoken word, Urban Word provides young, creative voices, often those who are marginalized, the tools, training, and platforms to rewrite the narratives that shape their lives and their communities.