YourWords STL

#GiftofWords Podcast Miniseries

YWSTL has launched its own podcast. Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing each other's stories. Artists, teachers, students, and activists wield their words in interviews with Michelle Haberberger of YourWords STL. Gather wisdom from those working toward equity in one of the nation's most divided cities.

In this premiere episode, YWSTL interviews teaching artist Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond. Listen in for a wide-ranging conversation that also includes an out-loud reading of the poet's work.

Crossing Delmar Podcast

During the week of Jan. 27-31, 2020, students from two St. Louis area schools participated in a pilot version of "Crossing Delmar." The goal of YourWords STL's Crossing Delmar program is to address the need for concrete, strategic, sustainable action related to promoting the healing of racial inequities in St. Louis City. As part of the program, students from school communities that would not normally intersect are brought together for poetry writing, team-building activities, and other opportunities for creative expression and fellowship.

The following podcasts were recorded during the Crossing Delmar program and each episode features students from both New City School and Moline Elementary School discussing their interests, sharing poetry, and asking each other direct questions about social issues with special concern to the Delmar Divide.

 

 

 

YOURWORDS STL VIDEOS

 

Unheard Voices Trailers:

"Actors told the real-life stories of young men aging out of a children’s home in a staged reading in Ferguson.

The free event at the Ferguson Youth Initiative, 106 Church St., drew on writing by young men who participated in a program of YourWords STL. The organization helps St. Louis youth express themselves, and work through trauma using the written word.

The presentation, “Unheard Voices: You Don’t Know My Story,” is comprised of poetry, lyrics and narratives by residents of the Marygrove Children’s Home in Florissant.  It highlights the human need to be heard, according to YourWords’ cofounder Anna Guzon..." (Nancy Fowler, NPR)

 

 

Dream Builders for Equity

For their 3rd annual book signing & first ever poetry slam event “Dreams Made Real”. The young people who participated in the DB4E Summer Academy 2019 wrote & published the book “Dreams Made Real”. The book includes their experiences in the program, how they benefited from participating, how it will impact their future, and how they will continue to make a difference in the community.

 

Dreams Made Real #1

 

 

 

 

Louder Than a Bomb with YourWords STL 

YourWords STL and Young Chicago Authors (YCA) in conjunction with KDHX gathered poets, schools, organizations, and activists to explore slam poetry as a vehicle for youth empowerment in St. Louis.

Acclaimed poets and leaders of Young Chicago Authors, Nate Marshall and Kevin Coval, each performed, as well as discussed Louder Than a Bomb programming, workshops, and festivals.  Louder Than a Bomb is the largest poetry festival in the world, in over 110 schools in Chicago, and more than 10 cities around the world.  We hope that their work will inspire individuals to come together and continue to build programming for those who can most benefit from mentorship and exploration of slam poetry in St. Louis.

 

 

 

Dreams Made Real #2: Poetry Slam

 

 

 

 

Crossing Delmar (Virtual)

The goal of YourWords STL's Crossing Delmar program is to address the need for concrete, strategic, sustainable action related to promoting the healing of racial inequities in St. Louis City. As part of the program, students from school communities that would not normally intersect are brought together for poetry writing, team-building activities, and other opportunities for creative expression and fellowship.