Slam Team: (Ages 14-18)
Performance, Community, and Envisioning Change.
The Slam Team is one of two pathways for Deep’s Youth Leadership Team, alongside the Action Research Team. This group of dynamic youth artists collaborate with adult artist-allies to develop Savannah’s spoken word slam culture and to make Savannah a more just and equitable place.
Deep Center’s slam program offers an opportunity for local Savannah youth, ages 15-18 to dive into the world of competitive performance poetry. This team of up to TEN (10) young leaders, along with a Slam Coach and Assistant Teaching Artists, will work together to build original content for regional, national, and international youth spoken word events. As part of the team, youth will experience professional development sessions led by esteemed practitioners and professionals, connect with well-known young leaders and performers from around the world, and explore new ways to activate their voices as powerful agents of social change.
“At Deep, it is okay to be yourself. There, they have cultivated a space where youth and staff can embrace their individuality without being ostracized or shunned. I am so grateful for all the accepting personalities and everyone’s willingness to cooperate in spite of our differences.”
– Bashiah, SLAM + Block by Block participant
Slam Team artists compete regionally and nationally and give voice to Savannah’s stories of identity, joy, injustice, belonging, and transformation.
Savannah Youth Poetry Slam 2026
Deep Center is honored to host the Savannah Youth Poetry Slam on May 30, 2026. This full-day event brings together youth poets ages 14-18 from across the southern region for a day of workshops, community, and a live spoken-word competition that centers the voices and experiences of young people.
The day begins with a workshop led by Slam Champion and fellow 912 native, Nathan Wallace. From there, we break for lunch and a connection before the mic opens for the first round of competition.
By the end of the preliminary rounds, ten poets will advance to the final stage, held that evening.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists:
- 1st Place: $150
- 2nd Place: $100
- 3rd Place: $50
The workshop and lunch portion of the day are reserved for youth participants. However, the preliminary rounds and final stage competition are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to come support these young poets.
If you are an interested youth or youth coach/mentor, please fill out the registration form below to receive further details about the Savannah Youth Poetry Slam. Also, if you aren’t already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @deepcenter912 for any updates.
PARTICIPANT REGISTER HERE!
What Is a Poetry Slam?
A poetry slam is a live spoken-word competition in which poets have 3 minutes and 30 seconds to perform original work and are scored by members of the audience. No props or musical accompaniment is allowed.
Five audience members are selected at random to serve as judges. Each judge gives a score between 0 and 10. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the remaining three scores are added together to determine the poet’s total for that round. Which means each poet will need to be prepared for the competition with at least 3 poems.
The poet with the highest overall score at the end of the competition is declared the winner.
Event Details
Saturday, May 30th 2026
Event Flow (Come for one, or two, or you can stay for all three):
• Workshop- 11 am-1 pm (lunch provided)
• Prelim Rounds- 2:30-4:30 pm
• Final Stage: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Free • All Are Welcome • Registration Required
Location
Southwest Library
14097 Abercorn St.
Savannah, GA
Spots may be limited. So be sure to fill out the registration, guys. Peace!
GUEST REGISTER HERE!