“When I was in College, a traveling poet came through town and stayed with me for a few days. Although I’d been exposed to spoken word already, that week is when I really fell in love with it as an art form.”--Hannah Adams

Arsenio Green is the host of the Lyricist Lounge. He also performs.

“If I had to put a definition to spoken word, I would say it’s essentially a song or a story”--Arsenio Green

Spoken word has increased in visibility in the last ten years according to the Journal of Popular Culture.

“I don’t know when it sunk in, but at some point I realized that spoken word poetry can’t be learned. Instead, it’s accessed. It’s already there – it is your own unique voice, authentically – and bravely -- sharing your reality.”-Hannah Adams

Youth Communities in Texas, Wisconsin, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington encourage young people to use their voice to express their opinions on social issues according to Journal of Popular Culture.

“I didn’t think I had a voice [until Spoken word]”--Alexia

Spoken word helps to develop an understanding of oneself, promotes creativity and self-expression according to the Journal of Arts in Psychotherapy.

“[I have] a lot of emotions to get out.”--Michelle

“I enjoyed spoken word so much, that I even performed. It is a powerful event and I will be attending again”--Judy Sherburn from Madison Exposed