Corey Outlaw 
The power of spoken word has been utilized to achieve many feats throughout history. It’s been used to change societies and bend cultural norms, turning hypotheticals into realities. Spoken word has been used most commonly by generations of young people to advocate for a place in the world and reveal certain truths that people are too scared to reveal or comment on.
On March 15, a large group of high schoolers from all over Chicago and the Chicagoland area participated at the Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival, a 6-week long festival dedicated to helping young independent youth poets hone their speech and refine their art. The event was orchestrated by Young Chicago Authors, a youth organization that helps youth all over Chicago build their storytelling skills through various mediums, especially visual and performance art. This year, the event was held at the Ramova Theatre on the south side of Chicago.
“…It has been an amazing experience getting to know all these… poets,” said Jackelyn Chavez, one of the finalist poets from Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center. The poems shared throughout the night were very well received by the audience. People from all backgrounds made an appearance in the theater today and addressed many different political issues going on in today’s system, from injustice in immigration enforcement to the systemic struggles of the African American people.
Overall, the Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival of 2026 was a wonderful display of youth talent and consciousness in Chicago, all brought together thanks to Young Chicago Authors, along with many other sponsors. To learn more about Young Chicago Authors visit their website.
By Corey Outlaw, Freshman, University of Illinois Chicago
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