( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) Kevin Benoit’s Nonprofit Holding Contest for New York High School Seniors
ENSPIRE Contributor: Petra Wolf
Starting June 16th, Parlé Endeavors is hosting their Teen Poetry Slam series. Parlé Endeavors is a nonprofit organization that supports high school students in the New York City area through mentorship, scholarships, grants, and exposure. They also provide opportunities for students to support them financially in the arts, media, and related fields. The organization was founded in 2022 by Parlé Magazine CEO Kevin Benoit to provide backing and guidance for students with business plans or college dreams. The Slam Series will have students performing poems or acapella raps, with the top 5 finalists splitting a prize of $2500.
The competition will take place in various locations across NYC. The first preliminary round will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Thompson Studios 125 at 31 W 125th St, on June 16th. This is followed by the preliminary round at the Bronx Children’s Museum, 725 Exterior Street Bronx, on June 17th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The round in Queens takes place on June 23rd at The Harvest Room, 90-40 160th St, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The round in Brooklyn takes place on June 24th, at the Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The last preliminary round takes place on June 25th in Staten Island at the Hill Street Community Garden from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Teens who perform well will move up to the semi-finals in July, taking place in Brooklyn and Harlem. They will perform two more poems or acapella raps. They will do the same for the final round which takes place in Manhattan at Nuyorican Poets Cafe on E 3rd St. Only 5 students can win but each will get a cash prize ranging from $100 to $1000 depending on their ranking. Teens must bring school or state ID to show they are between the ages of 13 and 19, as well as also being NYC school students.
This event is completely free for teen poets and guests, performers can sign up for the preliminaries through this link.
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