Urban Transcendence Poetry increases reading, writing and spoken word performance skills for high school, middle and elementary age young people. Through the study of historical and contemporary multicultural poets, students gain the confidence to take a sensitive jouney inward. This journey allows students the confidence to share their inner-selves with each other and the younger students they mentor. An annual poetry anthology, Urban Transcendence Poetry and Art Magazine, is ready for Volume IV. Quarterly Spoken Word presentations are given throughout the KC Metro Area. UT students performed at the Governor's Award for the Arts, the Declaration of Independence opening at Science City, the Gem Theatre, Just Off Broadway Theatre, "Culture Under Fire," the Starlight Theatre and more. This project reaches over 500 students each school year. J.C. Harmon and Wyandotte High School utilize the UT project in their language arts classes. A performance workshop for all UT students takes place after school each Thursday at Sumner Academy. The poetry project provides workshops for Saturday Academy and Summer Science Academy. Glenn North is the Poet in Residence and Mentor Director for the project. Faith Scott is Mentor Specialist for Saturday and Summer Academy. Nine YLDC members offer leadership, mentoring and performance critique to UT.
Hip Hop comes to the Poetry Project. Please click on the Hip Hop Project link below.