2011 Slam Finalists
2011 PYPM Slam Team Member
Alana Gooden, 19, is a poet, emcee and community activist. She has been rapping and writing poetry since the age of eight and attributes her inspiration to her late older brother, Robert. She is a senior at Germantown High School. In the fall, she will be attending Temple University where she will study Media, Business & Entrepreneurship. To her, being successful means promoting and encouraging positivity, breaking down barriers, living past the expectation of stereotypes, seeing change manifest, and having those who are impacted pay it forward.
Alexander Santiago, 16, is a junior at Lower Merion High School, and has been writing poetry for several years. He found PYPM through one of the producers for “TEACH” (filmed at Northeast HS), who introduced Alex to Greg Corbin. He started writing poetry as a way to let out bottled up emotions. To him poetry is therapy. He does school tours with Peace And Love, has been featured on Drexel’s website for victims of bullying and at GetSchooled.org. He plans on becoming a motivational speaker encouraging kids to find their voice any way possible.
2011 PYPM Slam Team Member
Charmira Nelson, 16, is a sophomore at Constitution High School. She first came in contact with PYPM in 2009. Her writing has helped her to make achievements which led her to the NHD Nationals in 2010 for a group performance. Because of her demonstration of her leadership abilities, she was nominated as a 2010 “Young Hero” for the Philadelphia National Liberty Museum. Most recently, she is instrumental in leading the slam poetry team at her school, which placed second in the PYPM Slam League Championship.
2011 PYPM Slam Team Member
Jamarr Hall, 19, is a graduate of Murrell Dobbins CTE. He is a poet, actor, and comedian. He is currently starring in a series directed by Donja R. Love called System Report, playing the role of Jamal Mannes, an 18-year-old youth in the juvenile system. He is an activist and a role model for his generation. He says “just because we’re at a stage in our lives where times seem dark doesn’t mean we can’t rise up and be a beacon of hope that gives the next generation something to look forward to.”
2011 PYPM Slam Team Member
Kai Davis, 17, is a junior at Central High School. She is a young and active poet. She spends most of her free time writing, and is an editor for her school’s literary magazine. Kai is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. After attending college, she hopes to return to Philadelphia to work with youth poets in order to better their lives and improve the community around them.
Karole Collier, 18, is senior at Central High School, and became involved with PYPM in January 2011. In the Fall, Karole will attend Barnard College of Columbia University where she hopes to join the University's spoken word community, while still mentoring future youth poets in PYPM. Karole loves poetry not only for its ability of expression, but its power in evoking change. Karole is also an advocate for Sickle Cell Anemia, Vice President for her school's African-American Student Union, and a Red Cross volunteer. She adds that "Poetry has been one of my biggest blessings this year.”
Natalya Brooks, 19, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She is a 2010 graduate of Paul Robeson High School where she participated in and co-directed the high school's choir. Natalya is also a singer and actress. She is an active member of Chosen Writa Productions where she featured in her first stage play "For Your Eyes Only". Natalya says "I write because it's the only time I am completely honest with myself and my feelings. Poetry didn't save my life. It gave me one".
2011 PYPM Slam Team Member
Safiya Washington, 16, is a high school senior at Aya Educational Institute, originally from Brooklyn, NY. She has been involved with PYPM for about a year after hearing about workshops from a friend. She enjoys writing because to her it's way to relate with people; say things everyone else is thinking, but never had to power or words to say. She writes to alleviate some of the burdens on the backs of her generation. She is also a dancer with the African dance company Dada.
2010 & 2011 PYPM Slam Team Member
Sinnea Douglas, 17, is a senior at Science Leadership Academy. She has been writing for four years. She got involved with PYPM in 2010 when she became part of the 2010 slam team. Her purpose for writing is her love for language. She enjoys taking on characters and writing through different perspectives. She will be attending Ursinus College in the fall to study English, Creative Writing, and Journalism. She hopes to one day become an English teacher and a published author.
Victor Jackson, 17, is a junior at Imohtep Charter High School. He is a slam poet and break-dancer, who aspires to go to St. Johns University and major in film. His dream is to start a multi-media company. His role models are Spike Lee, his mother, and his foster parent and PYPM founder, Greg Corbin.
