Urban Word NYC

Based on the belief that teenagers can and must speak for themselves, Urban Word NYC was founded in 1999, and serves over 15,000 New York City youth annually. UW believes that free self-expression - matured in an enhanced critical literacy environment - improves self-confidence and strengthens educational achievement for NYC’s inner city youth. As the premier literary-arts organization in the country, UW provides a safe, dynamic and challenging community for teens to engage and develop their powerful voices.

Urban Word NYC offers a comprehensive roster of in-school and after-school workshops in the areas of creative writing, journalism, literature, college prep and hip-hop. UW also presents local and national poetry slams, as well as open mic series, concerts, teacher’s institutes and festivals. Consistent with its student-centered pedagogy, UW develops youth leaders that serve the organization as members of the Word Wide Youth Leadership Board, as well as providing students with internships and educational scholarships. Urban Word NYC also has partner programs in 42 cities across the United States and abroad.

We promote active literacy, critical thought, and positive social dialogue across boundaries of age, race, class, gender, culture, and sexuality.

MISSION:
Urban Word NYC exists to ensure that New York City youth have a safe, supportive, dynamic and challenging community in which to discover their powerful voices - through written and spoken word - and use them to express their views, strengthen self-esteem and engage them in opportunities that address the sociopolitical issues that affect them.
UW provides free and uncensored writing and performance opportunities to youth in all five boroughs of New York City. Our many workshops are designed to develop critical thinking skills, leadership, and to ignite a personal commitment to growth and learning which leads to heightened in-school performance, and a greater interest in pursuing higher education.

VISION:
Urban Word NYC’s artistic vision is to build a community of young leaders, writers, spoken word and hip-hop artists who, through self-awareness and enhanced critical thought, help alter the socio-economic pathway constructed for inner-city youth, from marginalization toward one of empowerment, tolerance and social responsibility. We promote student-centered learning through active literacy and positive social dialogue across boundaries of age, race, gender, culture and sexuality.

DIRECTIONS:
Urban Word NYC is located at 242 W. 27th Street in Manhattan between 7th & 8th Avenues. The closest trains are the 1 Train to 28th Street or the C/E Train to 23rd Street. We are located on the 3rd floor, buzzer #14.

Urban Word NYC’s Brooklyn Site is located at the St. John’s Recreational Center, Parks and Recreation located on 1251 Prospect Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn 11214. A Train to Utica Ave, then walk 5 blocks south to Prospect Pl., turn right and walk 1.5 blocks to the center. Or take 3 or 4 Train to Utica Ave, walk 6 blocks north, turn left on Prospect Place and walk 1.5 blocks to the center.

STAFF LISTING