Teenagers in Memphis are using poetry to share positive messages about their neighborhoods, despite the challenges they face.
The “My Memphis Poetry Challenge,” a city-wide initiative, encourages young people to express their thoughts on what makes their community great. The challenge was organized by Big Memphis, in partnership with the Memphis Office of Youth Services.
James Davis, director of Big Memphis, expressed his pride in the participants. “Some of them brought tears to my eyes. I want so badly for our city to be positive, and these teens really get it. One thing I saw and was excited about was their hope,” said Davis.
Brian Harris, director of the Memphis Office of Youth Services, emphasized the importance of recognizing the positive contributions of youth. “Young people are not all bad. There are many great things happening, and I believe the public’s perspective will change once they see and hear these poems,” he said.
The winners of the challenge will have their poems displayed at City Hall and receive cash prizes, gift cards, and other rewards. Harris noted that many of the poems highlighted the pride the teens have for Memphis and their desire to make a difference. “I’m very encouraged by how many poems focused on what Memphis means to them and how they want to contribute to the city,” he added.
Among the nearly 100 participants, 16-year-old Caiden Joyner and 18-year-old Q’vieun Miller stood out as two of the top five finalists. Both teens shared excerpts from their poems with Action News 5.
Joyner, who is 16 and attends University High School, read a part of his poem: “I am from blue suede shoes, Bluff City of Memphis, Grizzlies too… I am from Elvis’ grace and music I embrace.”
Miller, a recent graduate of DeSoto Central High School, shared his own lines: “Here I feel like a King, and I never forget that I have a dream. Look alive 901 for we were born by the river.”
The competition required teens to write between 150 and 300 words on any topic, as long as they included something positive about Memphis. The goal was to inspire other youth and highlight the good in the city.
Miller expressed his drive to give back to Memphis, saying, “Your dreams can’t stay on the pillow. You’ve got to work for it and make your dreams a reality.” He also shared his future goals of attending the University of Memphis and becoming an entrepreneur.
Joyner, on the other hand, wanted to focus on the positives, despite the challenges. “There’s a lot of crime going on, but I don’t want to focus on the negative only,” he said. “Nothing comes good from the glorification of violence.”
Both teens were inspired by their fathers to participate in the challenge. Joyner looks up to his father, a writer, and hopes to follow in his footsteps, with plans to attend Morehouse College.
The winner of the “My Memphis Poetry Challenge” will be announced this Friday at City Hall.
