Building Our Army of Spoken Word Soldiers
Our army our voices has been growing and getting more powerful. We have so much footage, so many recordings and writings that we don’t yet know what to do with it all. But we do know one thing is for certain: these spoken word soldiers are not only changing their own lives, they are changing the lives of others. Read more to SEE, HEAR and MOVED by the real life stories of our amazing army.
Here are videos and audio of students who know how to SPEAK IT FORWARD and who have used their voices to help change and open the minds and hearts of people. They are NEW to this and have put their voices out there because we’ve told them that it DOES matter and that it WILL change their lives. We believe it because we know it and see it. Please watch, listen, read and share these powerful performances with others.
(Felipe, an ex-juvenile offender, turns the tables and educates the “leaders” in his community.)
(A student gives a powerful and moving performance about the loss of his mother while in tretamen facility “lock-up”.)
(A powerful spoken word duo focusing on the negative impacts of bullying on our youth, coming from the mouths of ex-gang members and past violent offenders.)
(This is the recording of a student’s harrowing and beautiful story of losing his mother to her addictions called “Painted Memories.”)
And that’s just a TINY FRACTION of the voices and experiences we are collecting. SPEAK IT FORWARD.
Hi, I graduated from high school at Kalamazoo Central 3 years ago…I just wanted to let you know that lately, whenever I need something empowering, I listen to your words. Since graduating I’ve moved to New York and I’ve been sharing your words and stories here and you’ve got many fans here now. I hope you’re both doing well, and I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you.
-Bridin Clements
…I was at Lakeside Academy and attended the classes that were put on by Speak It Forward. I loved and appreciated what you did for me and my fellow peers. It has been almost a year and a half since I left and I’m doing much better now. The things you taught me I still use to this day. Thank you.
-Karla Nusly
I still wear my shirt from your first performance downtown Kalamazoo. Circa 2006 or so… You guys are the TRUTH!!!
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