(Learn more at southernword.org. IG: @southern_word. Twitter: @southernword) These poetry performances are part of an intentional educational strategy to help young people represent themselves, build communication skills, and process the challenges in their lives. Through school and community programs in 8 Tennessee counties, Southern Word serves more than 7,500 youth a year who all have the potential to write and speak with powerful voices. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.