The residents of Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center gave heartfelt spoken word performances talking about their hopes, dreams, fears, longings and aspirations. Residents stood and delivered poem after poem and round after round with passion and precision. The night was enhanced by the presence of several guest poets and teaching artists. In the words of Poetic Pisces, “This Goes Out to all those who say they care about the FUTURE of Our Children”.

Founded in 2001, Louder Than a Bomb is an annual youth poetry slam which engages schools and community organizations from throughout the Chicago region. Aiming to bring teens together across racial, gang, and socio-economic lines, LTAB is a friendly competition that emphasizes self-expression and community via poetry, oral story-telling, and hip-hop spoken word.

Recorded live May 1, 2013 at Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.

Each year since 2005, WBEZ has invited competition Finalists into our studios to record their work, which is presented here, along with other full length recordings produced as part of the 2013 Festival.