Founded in 2001, this annual youth poetry slam engages schools and community organizations from throughout the Chicago region. Each year since 2005, WBEZ has invited competition Finalists into our studios to record their work, presented below. Full-length performances are also recorded, and presented here. The Louder Than a Bomb Youth Poetry Festival took place February 16 through March 9, 2013.
On Wednesday, May 1, Young Chicago Authors held its inagural Louder Than a Bomb poetry slam within the walls of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. The next day, YCA's Lamar Jordan and Lamon Manuel came on the air to discuss how poetry can be a positive form of expression in detention centers (above).
As a participant in WBEZ's Chicago Amplified, Young Chicago Authors collaborates with the station to record and distribute full-length events and performances throughout the year, including Louder Than a Bomb Festival Finals and other special LTAB events. Click here for a complete list.
Mar. 7, 2005
Langston KermanOak Park-River Forest High SchoolCoach: Peter KhanShort Description: A young Chicago poet explores his understanding of the ridicule his parents faced for being a mixed couple, and how his bi-racial identity has been shaped by his parent's experience.
Mar. 7, 2005
Linda Davis, of team Kuumba Lynx, is coached by K.h. West and Soyini Strong. This poem is about a young Chicago girl's struggle with street life, using poetry to discuss her upbringing and the burdens of living in poverty.
Mar. 7, 2005
Josh ClarkMichelle MbeKeaniLangston KermanDavid GilmerOak Park-River Forest High SchoolCoach: Peter KhanShort Description: A group piece by four poets - this poem is about the importance of a family name, and knowing the history that surrounds it in order to bring forward a greater understanding of
Mar. 7, 2005
Matthew Ewing is an individual competitor from Lakeview High School. Police brutality in the city of Chicago is the focus of this young teen's poem.
Mar. 7, 2005
Alberto Che GuevaraDr. Pedro Albizu Campos High SchoolCoaches: Michelle Luellen and K. BarrettShort Description: In this poem a young Chicago author tells us about the power of the gun.
Mar. 7, 2005
Janeida RiveraDr. Pedro Albizu Campos High SchoolCoaches: Michelle Luellen and K. BarrettShort Description: A Chicago teen tells a poem of the demise she sees from gentrification as she walks through her own Chicago neighborhood.
Mar. 7, 2005
A poem about a group of young Chicago teens' experience growing up on the west side of Chicago, in the "murder capital of the country." The Team members of Dr.
Mar. 7, 2005
Negwes White is coached by Stacey Dugan for Team Native Lynx. This poem is about a young Chicago poet speaks truth to what it is like to be a Native American teenager in urban America today – relating his struggle to find an identity to the struggles of his people.
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