Their words are power. Their stories are truth. Their voices are the future.
The Hampton Roads Youth Poets (HRYP) Slam Team is a collective of brilliant, bold, and brave young artists who use poetry to speak truth, spark change, and share their lived experiences. Selected through the Hear This Youth Poetry Festival, these talented youth now represent our region on the national stage—and they need your support to get there.

We’re raising $10,000 to fund travel, lodging, meals, coaching, and creative development opportunities as the HRYP Slam Team prepares to compete in national poetry slams and leadership summits across the country.

What Your Donation Supports:

✈️ Travel and accommodations to national competitions
📝 Workshops and mentorship from professional poets
🎤 Performance opportunities that amplify youth voices
🎓 Leadership training and life-changing exposure to college campuses, diverse cities, and new ideas
💻 Creative tools and materials to help them grow as artists and advocates

Why It Matters:

Your gift doesn’t just help a teen get on stage—it helps them stand tall, speak up, and be heard. Many of our team members come from underserved communities and have overcome incredible odds to be here. Poetry is not just art—it’s healing, it’s advocacy, and it’s a path to a brighter future.

Be part of this journey. Be part of their success.
Whether you give $10, $100, or $1,000, your support fuels a movement of youth-led creativity, courage, and change.

Donate today and help us reach our $10,000 goal. Together, we can send these young changemakers soaring.

🎤💥 Because when youth speak, the world listens

Hampton Roads Youth Poets

Support the 2026 Hampton Roads Youth Poetry Team

Team Members