Detroit’s young poets, wordsmiths, and creative thinkers—get ready. InsideOut Literary Arts is bringing back the highly anticipated Detroit Youth Poetry Con, now in its third year, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Wayne State University. The event is free and open to all teens ages 13-19, thanks to generous support from the NBA Foundation and individual donors. However, spots are limited, and registration closes on March 9, 2025.
This year’s Poetry Con is more than just an event—it’s a milestone. As InsideOut Literary Arts approaches its 30th anniversary, the organization is reflecting on three decades of transforming Detroit’s youth through the power of creative writing. Since its founding, InsideOut has equipped thousands of young people with the confidence and skills to tell their stories, advocate for themselves, and build community through poetry.
The Detroit Youth Poetry Con is a full-day experience where teen poets will participate in writing workshops led by accomplished authors and poets, connect with a vibrant community of young creatives and industry professionals, discover career paths in the literary and creative arts, and perform their own work in open mics and showcases. Whether you’re an experienced poet or just starting to explore the power of words, Poetry Con offers a welcoming space to sharpen your craft and find your voice.
“Poetry gives young people a way to say what they need to say, to take up space in a world that often tries to silence them,” says Brittany Rogers, one of this year’s featured poets. “I know what it’s like to be a teenager in Detroit, learning how to put language to my own experiences. To be able to come back and pour into this next generation means everything to me.”
As the sun sets on Poetry Con, the night will come alive with the InsideOut Main Stage Poetry Showcase, held at Wayne State University’s Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center from 7 – 8:30 p.m. This year’s showcase will feature the dynamic duo of Brittany Rogers and Ajanaé Dawkins—two powerhouse poets and best friends who have made waves in the literary world.
Brittany Rogers, an InsideOut alum, Cass Tech educator, and author of Good Dress (Tin House, 2024), has been nominated for a 2025 NAACP Image Award. Her work captures the essence of Detroit’s literary culture, blending deep emotion with undeniable style. Ajanaé Dawkins, an interdisciplinary poet and theologian, has been featured in publications like Academy of American Poets, The Rumpus, and Prairie Schooner. Together, they co-host The Poetry Foundation’s VS Podcast, where they explore the intersections of poetry, culture, and identity. The duo will discuss their journeys as multi-genre artists, the power of creative relationships, and the richness of Detroit’s literary scene. Attendees will also experience electrifying performances from InsideOut’s Detroit Youth Performance Troupe.
Tickets for the showcase are available now. General admission is $25, while Superfan tickets are $60 and include a signed copy of Good Dress along with reserved orchestra seating. All proceeds from the showcase will directly benefit InsideOut’s creative writing programs for Detroit youth.
“Poetry Con gives young writers the tools, the space, and the community to push their craft further. Seeing Brittany Rogers and Ajanaé Dawkins—poets who have built careers with their words—makes the possibilities real,” says Suma Karaman Rosen, executive director of InsideOut Literary Arts.
Justin Rogers, Citywide Poets Manager, is especially excited about the youth-driven evolution of the convention. “This year, I’m excited to implement students’ requests to improve what I view as THEIR convention, with more opportunities for teens to be on stage, more ways to win a variety of prizes, and more time to create.”
To register for the 2025 Detroit Youth Poetry Con, visit insideoutdetroit.org/programs/in-the-community/detroit-youth-poetry-con/.
To secure tickets for the InsideOut Main Stage Poetry Showcase, visit insideoutshowcase.eventbrite.com.
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