About Get lit - words ignite
Get Lit - Words Ignite: Empowering Students Through Poetry Literacy and Spoken Word Performance
Get Lit - Words Ignite is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that aims to empower students through poetry literacy and spoken word performance. The organization was founded in 2006 by Diane Luby Lane, who saw the transformative power of poetry in her own life and wanted to share it with others.
The mission of Get Lit - Words Ignite is to increase literacy, empower youth, and inspire communities through the power of poetry. The organization achieves this by providing free after-school programs, workshops, assemblies, and performances for students in underserved communities across Los Angeles County.
One of the unique aspects of Get Lit - Words Ignite is its use of spoken word performance as a tool for literacy education. By combining poetry with performance art, the organization engages students in a way that traditional classroom instruction cannot. This approach has proven highly effective at improving reading comprehension, writing skills, public speaking abilities, and self-confidence among participating students.
Get Lit - Words Ignite's flagship program is called Classic Slam. This annual competition brings together high school teams from across Los Angeles County to perform classic poems as well as original works written by the students themselves. The event culminates in a final round held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA.
In addition to Classic Slam, Get Lit - Words Ignite offers several other programs designed to engage young people with poetry and spoken word performance. These include:
- Get Lit Players: A group of professional poets who perform at schools throughout LA County.
- Curriculum Development: Workshops for teachers on how to incorporate spoken word into their lesson plans.
- Community Outreach: Performances at community events such as festivals and rallies.
- Youth Leadership Council: A program that empowers student leaders within their schools and communities.
Since its founding over a decade ago, Get Lit - Words Ignite has impacted the lives of thousands of students across Los Angeles County. The organization has received numerous awards and recognition for its innovative approach to literacy education, including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2016.
In addition to its work with students, Get Lit - Words Ignite also partners with other organizations and businesses to promote poetry literacy and spoken word performance throughout the community. These partnerships have included collaborations with the LA Philharmonic, the Getty Museum, and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
If you're looking for a way to support youth literacy and empowerment in your community, consider getting involved with Get Lit - Words Ignite. Whether through volunteering, donating, or attending one of their events, you can help ignite a love of poetry in young people that will last a lifetime.