Detroit’s Poetry Scene is Making a Comeback – And We Need You!
Detroit has always been a city of resilience, artistry, and powerful storytelling. Now, we’re bringing that energy back to the national stage with a brand-new team of poets ready to make waves at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Knoxville, Tennessee. But we can’t do it alone.
Meet the Team Reviving Detroit Slam
Initiated by the historic Poetry Slam Master, Omari Barksdale, seasoned co-Slam Master Claretha Peace-Bell and Slam coach Christopher "Untitled" Jones, this team represents the best of Detroit’s past, present, and future. With a mix of seasoned mentors and fresh new voices—Jazmine Jamai (Grand Slam Champion), Shawn Burt II, and Hakeem Wewtherspoon, this squad is here to remind the nation that Detroit’s poetry scene is alive, thriving, and stronger than ever.
We’ve also enlisted the wisdom of Detroit’s poetic greats, the legends who built this scene, to help guide and shape this new generation of poets. This is more than just a competition, it’s about preserving and expanding our city's poetic legacy.
Why We Need Your Help
From June 10th to June 15th, 2025, our team will be competing against at least 36 other teams in one of the most prestigious poetry slam competitions in the country. We’re raising funds to cover travel, accommodations, and practice time—because our poets deserve to compete at their best without worrying about financial strain.
How You Can Support
This is where you come in. Every dollar gets us closer to our goal. Your donations will directly support:
- Safe travel to and from Knoxville, TN
- Comfortable accommodations so our poets can stay focused
- Rehearsal time to perfect their performances
Even if you can’t donate, you can still make a huge impact by sharing our campaign, spreading the word, and hyping up our poets.
This is More Than Poetry – It’s Community
Supporting this team means investing in Detroit’s artists, its storytellers, and its future. The experience and connections our poets gain from this competition will come back to enrich our city’s artistic scene, helping inspire the next wave of Detroit poets.
Join us in making this dream a reality. Donate, share, and let’s show the world what Detroit poetry is all about!
