Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival

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Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival

Rooted & Radical is a youth poetry festival that creates community and gives young people a platform to share their stories.

Through creative writing, YCA helps young people from all backgrounds to understand the importance of their own stories and those of others, so that they can pursue the path they choose and work to make their communities more just and equitable. Previously named Louder than a Bomb, this reimagined festival rethinks scoring and judging to empower participants and decenter competition. Rooted & Radi

cal is a space for young people to express themselves unapologetically, hone their literary skills, and build community with each other.

04/06/2026

Join us tomorrow for all city with +
at the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden! Ticket link in bio!

04/01/2026

Are you Chicago’s next youth poet laureate?
Fueled by The Zell Family Foundation &
The Poetry Foundation
Application deadline 4/10. Link in bio

03/25/2026

Calling all poets, musicians, and storytellers! All City is BACK. And this time… we’re leveling up. We’re taking over the Winter Garden at Harold Washington Library and filling it with over 100 audience members and performers!

This isn’t just an open mic. This is where new voices get discovered and where you remind yourself who you are.
Writing workshop. Open mic. Prizes! RSVP now: tinyurl.com/YCAAllCity

03/16/2026

Congratulations to all the incredible poets who made Rooted & Radical 2026 unforgettable.
From powerful team performances to unforgettable individual voices, these young writers reminded us why Chicago is a city of storytellers. We’re proud of every poet who stepped on stage and shared their truth.
🏆 Team Champions: Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center
🥈 St. Charles North High School
🥉 Kenwood Academy
🏅 Walter Payton College Prep
🎤 Individual Champion: Ivy — Walter Payton College Prep
🥈 Ellie — Evanston Township High School
🥉 Noble — Chicago Free School
🏅 Beatrix — Francis W. Parker School
✨ Festival Awards
Teen Choice: Kali — Oak Park & River Forest
Speak! Award: MJ — Lincoln Park
Bernie Mac Award: Ivy — Walter Payton
Chuck D. Award for Radical Lyricism: Isaiah — TF South
Thank you to every poet, teacher, coach, judge, and supporter who made this season special.
We’ll see you at Rooted & Radical 2027. The next generation of voices is already rising.

03/09/2026

Drumroll please! We are proud to announce the Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival Finalists! Join us on March 15th at 6pm to celebrate finals! Tix in bio! Congratulations to all of the poets!

03/04/2026

We’re excited to announce as our halftime performer for Rooted & Radical Finals on 3.15. Tix in bio!

03/03/2026

Swipe to see your Rooted & Radical Semi-Finalists!
Join us on 3.8 for semifinals and on 3/15 for finals! Tix in our bio! Love to all of our poets!!!

02/26/2026

From Chicago To The World! Join us at The Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival Semi finals on 3/8 and Finals on 3/15 !

02/23/2026

Not your average open mic, It’s All City! Tickets are going fast (link in bio) tomorrow we will be celebrating with our host and feature .bills!

02/17/2026

It’s never too early to start writing
Rooted & Radical Finals 3/15

02/16/2026

Calling all emcees, poets and performers! All City Open Mic is back next Tuesday for its Rooted & Radical edition! RSVP in our bio and get there early because we sold out last time!

02/11/2026

Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival starts today! Hit the link in our bio to catch and all of our poets compete in their first bouts.
2/11-2/13 - Columbia College
2/18-2/20 - Den Theater
3/8 - Semifinals Metro Chicago
3/15 - Finals

Address

Chicago, IL

Telephone

+17734864331

Website

https://youngchicagoauthors.org/

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