HERE, OUR YOUNG POETS all got up early on a Saturday morning to take part in the Suitland Sweep-Up & Block Party, in which they cleared the parking lot & surrounding area of trash & debris - all to the sounds of DJ RBI spinning the latest Hip-Hop music! Thanks for helping us clean house, everyone!
Watch the video below to see an early version of the Dialect Program in action - As Patrick Washington collaborated with the young artists of the DC Creative Writers Workshop at Hart Middle School.
Our 2018 & 2019 YPL's met with the County Executive's staff to discuss key issues affecting the youth here in Prince George's (and also spit a few fire poems all up in the office!). Great things are definitely in store!
Many Thanks to Angela Alsobrooks, David Smith, Diana Leon, Tangi Allen, Sonja Welbourne, Joy Russell & Mr. Elvis Dennah for recognizing the importance of youth voices in policy making.
ALSO THIS SUMMER, Dialect has partnered with our good friend Mr. Hiram Larew to launch a new initiative called YOUNG POETRY X HUNGER, using the power of spoken word to bring attention to hunger, food & nutrition issues both locally & worldwide.
SUMMER IS SLAM SEASON! During this time, we put interested poets through 3 months of a fun (but intense) high-octane poetry boot camp. During this time there are slam competitions & there are eliminations. This is no reality show...but there is a LOT of reality going on - poets will leave their hearts on the stage. No one is EVER the same (writer or person) after experiencing this program! Ask us about how to find out if you're got what it takes to make the DMV SLAM TEAM!!
MARISSA MICHEL - THE 2020 PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY YOUTH POET LAUREATE
DIALECT USA, LLC recognizes and celebrates the importance of the spoken, the written and the rhythmic word no matter where it originates. We realize that even though our inflections & use of language may change between age, race, gender and cultural lines, it is the sound of our VOICES that when properly harnessed, can become the most powerful tool known to humanity through shared experiences, affirmations of love, pleas for peace and declarations of being.
DIALECT OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD provides artists with the space for expression and the skills for growth as practitioners of the stage arts. We understand that for many, a simple opportunity is the much needed bridge that can lead to success, and so we provide not only basic training in these areas, but we partner with additional County organizations in creating avenues & windows that will assist in cultivating full-fledged careers in the arts for both youth and for young adults.
POETS, EMCEES & CREATIVE WRITERS AGES 13 TO 19here is your springboard to launching a career in creative writing, performance poetry & community activism! We are searching for youth leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement & promoting change through the arts. We also partner with various county entities & non profits to create opportunities for our young artists. for more info, Contact us at dialectofpgcounty@gmail.com
One Youth Poet Laureate. Nine Ambassadors. Ten youth poets who are paving the way to the future.
LEARN MORE
FOR TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, poets from all over were invited to bring original poems about self-love & relationships for the "No Excuse for Dating Abuse" poetry show & teen summit which was held at Camelot in Upper Marlboro. Congratulations to Temple Hills Ambassador Nala Washington (below) who won the poetry slam & walked away with an apple ipad & other prizes!
KEEP AN EYE OUT for upcoming events at Bowie State University, as well as the upcoming THRIVE Market Experience which will showcase their poetry at the Suitland Creative Center on Saturday November 23rd at 3pm. FOLLOW YPXH AT https://www.instagram.com/poetryxhunger._/
ON APRIL 9TH, DIALECT'S NEWEST POETIC STAR, 16 year old Laylah Jackson of Suitland, performed a poem written specifically to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The evening also included a 20-piece jazz band and recreations of classic tunes by Duke Ellington. This kid is going places!
Marissa Michel is a second generation American of Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage. She is a Scholastic nationally award-winning teenage writer, published author, and artist. Marissa is also known for being an outspoken advocate for women of color, immigrants, and underserved communities. Her writing tends to reflect diverse experiences of living in America and center on topics of gender, race, and class.. Marissa became a PG County Youth Poet Ambassador at 13 and won 4 regional awards in the prestigious Scholastic Arts and Writing 2018 Competition. Marissa’s endeavors in equity, community, and justice in her school are deeply influenced by her personal values and beliefs. As a sophomore, Marissa is the youngest head in the history of the Female Empowerment Mission (FEM) club at Sidwell Friends High School, co-founder/co-head of the Students for Art and Music club, a digital editor of the Quarterly Magazine, and a choreographer on the dance team. She raises awareness about under-represented POC as well as the complexities of intersectionality through all aspects of her work. Marissa is also a member of the first Diversity and Ethical Leadership Conference Planning Board at her school. Marissa is a multi-talented, dedicated, spontaneous young writer who overcomes obstacles and brings a clear, loud and innovative voice to every issue she tackles.
TWO OF OUR star poets, Kaliyah & Zainab, both from Parkdale High (and both avid readers) were selected for the incredible opportunity to sit down & interview one of their favorite Young Adult authors, ELIZABETH ACEVEDO!!
FEBRUARY 2019
MARCH 2019
Mitchellville Ambassador Imani Grace West was asked to perform for Black History Month at the gorgeous Marriott Wardman in celebration of the great poet Langston Hughes with some of the areas most stellar spoken word artists!
PAST LAUREATES:
Mi'Jan Credle (2019) Michaela Lacy (2018) Samantha Jackson (2017) and Dominique Holder (2016 not pictured)
WE OFFICIALLY HAVE A NEW HOME!!!
https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/material/rif-author-interview-elizabeth-acevedo-0
March saw the launch of Mi'jans Creators Culture Showcase in Capital Heights, Maryland, giving young people in Prince George's County a safe space for expression. Stay tuned for the next one!
CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO OUR NEW YOUTH POET AMBASSADORS
ARIANNA JOY BOSLEY - Upper Marlboro
DEJA EPPS - Upper Marlboro
DEMARI KLINE - Upper Marlboro
JORDAN CULMER - District Heights
KALIYAH GREENE - New Carrollton
NALA WASHINGTON - Temple Hills
SAINEY CEESAY - Greenbelt
ZAINAB AHMED - Bladensburg
MUNACHISO NWACHUKWU - Bowie
SHEMAR COOKE - Riverdale
NOW THE WORK BEGINS as our YPL & Ambassadors begin traveling the county sharing the stage with county officials at festivals, town hall meetings and other community events in need of a youth perspective. This is the first step to a professional career as a writer & public speaker - any organizations interested in booking any of our youth poets for any functions, please contact Patrick Washington at 301 237 6684 or Neville Adams at 240 426 2629
APRIL 2019
DIALECT'S collaboration with READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
READY FOR THE WORLD!!
THE SUITLAND CREATIVE CENTER
AT 4719 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD will be our main base of operations.
Check for our schedule of upcoming events at www.creativesuitland.org
Youth Poets
DIALECT OF PRINCE GEORGE'S, along with Words Beats & Life, and DewMore Baltimore, all partnered with Urban Word NY to present the Commencement of the 2019 National Youth Poet Laureate, which was held at the Library of Congress on April 4th 2019 - A perfect way to kick off National Poetry Month!
of Prince George's County
THESE POETS ARE
SUMMER 2019
2018 Bowie Teen Poet Ambassador & now U of MD Freshman Leilani Clindenen is still active with our program. On Feb 23rd, she teamed up with Assisting Hands & Jack & Jill, Inc to host & perform a Toddlers For Seniors Fashion Show at the Arbor Terrace Senior Center in Greenbelt.
Copyright © DIALECT of Prince George's County. All rights reserved.+1.13012376684
dialectofpgcounty@gmail.com
DIALECT USA, LLC recognizes and celebrates the importance of the spoken, the written and the rhythmic word no matter where it originates. We realize that even though our inflections & use of language may change between age, race, gender and cultural lines, it is the sound of our VOICES that when properly harnessed, can become the most powerful tool known to humanity through shared experiences, affirmations of love, pleas for peace and declarations of being.
DIALECT OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD provides artists with the space for expression and the skills for growth as practitioners of the stage arts. We understand that for many, a simple opportunity is the much needed bridge that can lead to success, and so we provide not only basic training in these areas, but we partner with additional County organizations in creating avenues & windows that will assist in cultivating full-fledged careers in the arts for both youth and for young adults.