Youth voices: The power of the spoken word and literary expression

After an eloquent vocal performance from Gina Dukes, senior student of Science Leadership Academy High School (SLA), her teacher Matt Kay speaks on giving voice to young students in Philadelphia though the Philadelphia Young Poetry Movement (PYPM). Matt is the Slam League coordinator for the organization and has been writing and performing poetry for many years. He is passionate about changing kids' lives. Gina Dukes mentors other students in SLA's poetry club and co-teaches a freshman English class. Her passion is sharing her love for writing with others and inspiring others to discover the power of their voice. She is a poet, playwright, and storyteller, but most of all she is someone who uses words to spark fires of social change.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)