2021: THE YEAR OF YOUTH POETRY. MEET GET LIT- WORDS IGNITE

Meet GET LIT, WORDS IGNITE, an organization that promotes literacy and empowers young people through poetry. Five of that organization’s spoken word poets are pictured here. They perform in venues as diverse as the Hollywood Bowl and the Library of Congress. Their program has been incorporated into school curriculums throughout Southern California and has helped stem drop-out rates and increase literacy among 30,000 low-income youth.

“2021 has been a great year for poetry!”, says Diane Luby Lane, founder and executive director of Get Lit. “Amanda Gorman set the world on fire with her incredible performance on Inauguration Day. And then a few weeks later the Duke and Duchess visited our Get Lit poetry class!”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry joined a virtual poetry class with Get Lit in honor of Black History Month

This has led to a greater appreciation for spoken word and requests for poetry performances from our Get Lit Players throughout the country. Indeed, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise appearance in honor of Black History Month joining a virtual poetry class in February.  

“We couldn’t be more grateful! We’re hopeful that the release of our film Summertime to 300 theaters this summer keeps the momentum going!,” affirms Lane.

Click on photos to view full gallery.  All photos by Paola Gianturco