a good time for the truth: DewMore Baltimore Youth Poetry Summit 

Youth Poetry Summit – 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Youth Poetry Slam Competition – 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Baltimore Unity Hall
1505 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, MD 21217

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This second day of the 22nd CityLit Festival takes advantage of National Poetry Month while paying homage to iconic poet Nikki Giovanni with the festival theme Our Stories Give Light to Our Future (from her Dear Teacher poem) and with a good time for the truth. “If now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when we’ll get to it,” she poets. DewMore Baltimore, a program of the Black Arts District, hosts the 10th annual Youth Poetry Summit in partnership with CityLit Festival. Students from ten Baltimore City and Baltimore County schools will attend workshops led by national slam poetry champions, Ephraim Nehemiah, Mecca Verdell, and Black Chakra, with an open mic with Kenneth Something. The day infused with poetry features award-winning poet Rudy Francisco and concludes with a youth poetry slam with $2,000 in prizes, hosted by Maryland’s Poet Laureate Lady Brion. Rudy Francisco is a national poetry slam champion. He is the author of six books including his most recent book I’ll Fly Away. He has appeared on TV One’s Verses and Flow, the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and ABC’s The Bachelorette.

10:00 am – Welcome
10:30 am – Workshops facilitated by Ephraim Nehemiah, Mecca Verdell, Black Chakra1
2:00 pm – Open Mic and Lunch Hosted by Kenneth Something
1:15  pm – Rudy Francisco Feature Performance 
1:30 pm – Youth Poetry Slam hosted by Lady Brion – Open to the public
3:30 pm – Dismissal

*Visit the News Section for detailed information about the presenters.

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Rudy Francisco is one of the most recognizable names in Spoken Word Poetry. As an artist, he is an amalgamation of social critique, introspection, honesty, and humor. He uses personal narratives to discuss the politics of race, class, gender, and religion while pinpointing and reinforcing the interconnected nature of human existence. He seeks to create work that promotes healthy dialogue, discourse, and social change. He has made conscious efforts to cultivate young poets and expose the youth to the genre of Spoken Word Poetry via coaching, workshops, and performances at preparatory schools and community centers. He has conducted guest lectures and performances at countless colleges and universities nationwide. Nominated for an NAACP Image Award, Rudy has shared stages with prominent artists such as Gladys Knight, Jordin Sparks, Musiq Soul Child, and Jill Scott. He is also the co-host of the largest poetry venue in San Diego and competes in domestic and international poetry slam competitions.
www.iamrudyfrancisco.com
Instagram: @rudyfrancisco

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CityLit Project in partnership with Lord Baltimore Hotel and Red Emma’s present CityLit Festival: Our Stories Give Light To Our Future. This celebration of the arts showcases a bevy of leading poets and writers on April 5, 2025. We’re talking fiction, nonfiction, poetry galore, and ways to up the ante on your craft.

Download the CityLit Festival: Our Stories Give Light To Our Future flyer.