Brave New Voices 2009 - July 14-19, 2009
  • The Festival

    Youth Speaks Inc., the nation’s leading spoken word organization, is proud to present, in partnership with Columbia College of Chicago & Young Chicago Authors, the 12th annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival.

    Click Here for more info.

    The Festival
  • Get Tickets

    In 2008, the Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival enjoyed Sold Out Shows for every single event!

    This year, in an effort to make sure everyone who wants a ticket, gets a ticket, we are releasing them online and encouraging people to register in advance. Click here to see a list of tickets available for purchase.

    Click Here for more info.

    Get Tickets
  • 2009 Schedule

    The 5-day festival features 25 events across Chicago, from July 14-19, in community-based theaters, major performance venues, public spaces and college campuses.

    Click Here for more info.

    2009 Schedule
  • BNV Teams

    Team registration is now closed, but we are starting a Wait List. If a team drops out of the slam and your squad is added, you will be reimbursed so that you pay at the team level. This is going to be the biggest and bravest BNV yet. Get ready.

    Click Here for more info.

    BNV Teams
  • Hear Us Now

    Part of the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival, HEAR US NOW was created as a non competitive space to empower young poets to make their voices heard. Here’s where you Speak on the issues, topics, and events that affect you. Report on current events, from a poets perspective. Let the world know that youth can speak for themselves.

    Click Here for more info.

    Hear Us Now
  • Blog

    Click here to get the latest updates on Brave New Voices 2009. This includes Live & Direct videos, photos, & more.

    Click Here for more info.

    Blog

Join the Conversation

Want to keep up with your favorite brave new voices?

Use #bravenewvoices & @bravenewvoices to join the conversation.

Live and Direct from 2009


See more on our blog, click here. All videos shot on Flip Video, and uploaded by youth from Digital Youth Media Network

HEAR US NOW


See More & Upload Your Poem & Be Heard, click here. Sponsored by Verizon Wireless

Watch On HBO

Russell Simmons presents Brave New Voices
Narrated by Queen Latifah

All over the United States, a new generation of poets is emerging. This new HBO series captures teenagers picking up the pen and taking hold of the microphone with passion, intelligence, creativity, honesty and power. These voices of 21st Century America transcend race, class, gender, orientation, and red state/blue state politics as they show us all what the next generation of leaders looks and sounds like.

Watch on HBO ON DEMAND

HBO

The poets perform some of their best stuff from start to finish. Watch bonus clips now online at HBO!

Find out more about the Teams, Mentors and Poets.

Come to the Largest Youth Poetry Festival in the World
Thank You!

The 12th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival is made possible through the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, The Doris Duke Charitable Fund, the Common Ground Foundation, US Green Building Council, The Redford Center, The National Endowment for the Arts, an Anonymous Fund, Verizon Wireless, American Airlines, Rhodia, HBO, and by individuals who believe in the power of the word when its in the hands of young people.

Presented in partnership with:

columbia-logo

yca-logo

Additional Partners & Sponsors:

BNVSponsors2009

  • For Corporate Partnership and Donation Info, click here.