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Birmingham Students Shine at the 2024 Word Up! Festival

Students showcasing their spoken word poetry at the Birmingham Word Up Festival.

News Summary

The 2024 Word Up! Festival celebrated the talents of high school students in Birmingham, showcasing powerful spoken word poetry performances. Kayla Wright from AH Parker High School was crowned Individual Champion, while schools collaborated in a team competition. The event also honored the memory of late poet Brian Hawkins, making it a memorable occasion for the community and young poets.

Birmingham Students Shine at the 2024 Word Up! Festival

Birmingham was buzzing with excitement earlier this month as the 2024 Word Up! Festival kicked off at the Birmingham Public Library’s Central Branch. Hosted by The Flourish Alabama in partnership with the Birmingham Public Library, this festival became a vibrant platform for high school students to showcase their talent in the world of spoken word poetry.

A Night of Talent and Expression

The event was a joyous celebration of self-expression, where students from across the city came together to display their love for poetry. Students participated in an evening filled with powerful performances that highlighted their unique voices and stories. The festival’s grand finale featured the Final Round performances, with students competing for a remarkable total of $5,750 in prizes.

The anticipation was electric as the competitors took the stage, captivating the audience with their creative works. Their passion radiated throughout the venue, drawing cheers and applause for each heartfelt performance.

Shining Bright: Winners Take the Spotlight

At the end of the night, it was Kayla Wright from AH Parker High School who emerged victorious, claiming the coveted title of Individual Champion. Her breathtaking performance earned her a top prize of $1,000. Following closely was Jacob Woods from Carver High School, who secured second place and took home $500. Not to be overshadowed, Nakiya Moore, also from AH Parker High School, achieved third place with a stunning performance, earning herself a prize of $250.

The intensity didn’t stop there! Students ranked fourth through tenth also received acknowledgment for their efforts, each walking away with $50. Here’s how the placements shaped up:

4th: Greselda McCants (Jackson-Olin High School)
5th: Jada Clark (Wenonah High School)
6th: Shuntiria Austin (Jackson-Olin High School)
7th: Victoria Seay (Ramsay High School)
8th (tie): Charles Faddis (Jackson-Olin High School)
8th (tie): Rontrez Black (Carver High School)
10th: Brooklyn Walker (Jackson-Olin High School)

Team Spirit Shines Through

The festival was not just about individual accolades; it also included a team competition that brought schools together in the spirit of collaboration and creativity. AH Parker High School triumphed in this category, claiming first place and a generous prize of $2,000. Jackson-Olin High School followed in second place, earning $1,000, while Carver High School took third with a prize of $500. Wenonah High School also made their mark, finishing in fourth place.

A Special Tribute

To add a heartfelt touch to the event, the inaugural Spirit of the Slam award was presented in honor of the late Birmingham poet, Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins. Greselda McCants from Jackson-Olin High School received this award, along with $150, recognizing her contribution to the festival.

A Festival to Remember

The Word Up! Festival did more than celebrate young poets; it fostered community support and highlighted the significance of arts in amplifying voices of the youth. With the spotlight on their artistic talents, it proved to be an unforgettable event, one that may inspire the poets of tomorrow.

Birmingham’s youth have shown just how powerful and transformative spoken word poetry can be, and with such an inspiring gathering, one can only hope that the tradition continues to flourish in the coming years.