Native Child Youth Slam

Ten young poets. Three rounds. One stage.

It’s the inaugural Native Child Youth Slam, and someone’s walking out with $500, a trophy belt and bragging rights.

The competition, presented by The Poetry Room, aims to help develop local students’ skills and confidence as well as help grow the Lansing poetry community.

The runner-up gets $250, and everyone else gets $100, plus they get to show off their poetry. And everyone in the audience gets to bear witness.

A win-win.

The rules are simple:

• Material must be original and by a Greater Lansing student (different poems for every round).
• Poems are limited to three minutes, with 10 seconds of grace before penalties.
• No props, costumes or instruments.
• Poets must use their voices and bodies in their performances.