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Grizzlies Foundation partners with Hattiloo Theater to present the 5th annual Poetry Slam two-day finale

“Write On, Speak Out!,” a Memphis Grizzlies Foundation-funded poetry mentorship program in partnership with Hattiloo Theatre, will culminate its city-wide program with the Fifth Annual Memphis Grizzlies Poetry Slam on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 at 5 p.m. at the Hattiloo Theatre (37 South Cooper Memphis, 38104).

Write On, Speak Out! is a program for high school students that aids in college preparation and essential skill-building through the medium of spoken word poetry. Participants enhance their writing, performance, presentation and communication skills, which further cultivate their talent and help foster confidence in their own creativity. In addition to learning how to self-express, students met with their mentor-poets biweekly and Hattiloo program coordinators monthly. Throughout the program process, students discussed essentials of public speaking, the college application process and the value of programs like Write On, Speak Out! in resume building.

Prior to this weekend’s Finale, 9th-11th grade students throughout Greater Memphis participated in the Foundation’s monthly poetry/self-expression workshops in order to develop the necessary written and performance skills to take to the Memphis Grizzlies Poetry Slam preliminary stages, held Feb. 11-22 at the Hattiloo Theatre. Fifteen finalists from the Memphis Grizzlies Poetry Slam will take the stage at the Finale this weekend. The winner will receive a stipend for college expenses and a MacBook Air lap-top computer.

Serving as one of the judges at the Finale is last year’s winner, Anita Norman, from Arlington, Tenn. In 2014, Norman won the state, regional and national stages for the Poetry Out Loud program, created by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), where she was awarded the title as National Champion and the grand prize of $20,000.

About the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation

Harnessing the power of sport to transform lives, the Grizzlies Foundation is dedicated to closing the Opportunity Gap for children in underserved communities and, since 2004, has focused on finding, funding and creating youth mentoring and development programs that prepare students for success in college and career. Through the Foundation, the Grizzlies have invested over $40 million in schools, community organizations and innovative projects that give students the tools to achieve their full potential.

About the Hattiloo Theatre

Hattiloo Theatre's mission is to develop a black theatre that is accessible to, relevant to, and reflective of a multi-cultural community. Visit hattiloo.org for more information.