Urban Word presents literary arts education and youth development programs in the areas of creative writing, spoken word, college prep, literature and hip-hop. UW provides FREE, safe and uncensored writing workshops to teens year round, and hosts the Annual NYC Teen Poetry Slam, NY Knicks Poetry Slam, an Annual College Fair, NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program, Uptown Open and Brooklyn Open, Town Hall Meetings, and more. UW works directly with over 25,000 teens each year and awards over $650,000 in college scholarships annually. UW also has a vigorous community educator and teacher training series, Preemptive Education, which links inquiry-based classroom practices with the most progressive academic trends in student-centered pedagogy.
Urban Word NYC believes that free self-expression – matured in an enhanced critical literacy environment – improves self-confidence and strengthens educational achievement for NYC’s inner city youth. We promote active literacy, critical thought, and positive social dialogue across boundaries of age, race, class, gender, culture, and sexuality. Our many workshops are designed to enhance critical thinking skills, leadership, and to ignite a personal commitment to growth and learning which leads to heightened in school performance, and greater interest in pursuing higher education.
Urban Word NYC champions the voices of New York City youth by providing platforms for critical literacy, youth development and leadership through free and uncensored writing, college prep and performance opportunities.
Urban Word NYC is the central hub for youth voice, identity and critical literacy in New York City and is the national leader in youth literary arts and youth development programs.