Sarah Kay, a spoken word poet who founded Project V.O.I.C.E., a group dedicated to the art of spoken word poetry, will deliver Carleton College’s weekly convocation address on Friday, Apr. 19. Kay’s presentation, entitled “The Art of Storytelling in a Digital World,” looks at how spoken word poetry has been reborn in an era dominated by social media. Convocation is held from 10:50-11:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel, and it is free and open to the public. Convocations are also streamed live and can be viewed online at go.carleton.edu/convo/.
Project V.O.I.C.E. (Vocal Outreach Into Creative Expression), directed by Kay and fellow poet Phil Kaye, encourages people—particularly teenagers—to use spoken word as a means of growth and self-expression. Kay and Kaye have taught and performed at schools, universities and other venues worldwide, and their work has been highlighted by news outlets including ABC News and The Washington Post. Project V.O.I.C.E. seeks to combine “performance, writing, and a supportive environment to inspire youth to recognize that their views are significant, valid, and necessary.”
Sarah Kay, a New York native, began her career as a spoken word poet at the age of 14, becoming the youngest person competing in the National Poetry Slam that year. A graduate of Brown University, Kay has performed at high-profile venues such as the United Nations, the Tribeca Film Festival, Lincoln Center and the 2011 TED Conference; the video from her TED talk has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. Kay was featured on the HBO series, “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry,” and her work has been widely published in literary magazines and journals.
For more information about this event, including disability accommodations, contact the Carleton College Office of College Relations at (507) 222-4308. The Skinner Memorial Chapel is located on First Street between College and Winona Streets in Northfield.
