Cultivating literacy, leadership and social justice through the study & application of Spoken Word and Hip Hop culture.
Telling the story that’s often untold.
We believe in Hip Hop as an educational and social justice tool. Finding its roots in the heart of oppressed communities, Hip Hop, a universal culture is comprised of traditions, art, artifacts, and practices that will define the resistance of global generations for years to come.
Our Mission
To cultivate literacy, leadership and social justice through the study & application of Spoken Word and Hip Hop culture.
Our Vision
To counteract the dominant narrative surrounding youth and those most often rendered invisible in our society by providing platforms for them to be heard, fostering the personal and social change required for equity.
For More Info
Email us at info@TruArtSpeaks.org
What We Do
1
We provide high-quality artistic engagement and performance experiences for youth and adults throughout the state of Minnesota.
2
We foster safe spaces for participants to discover, study, shape, and share their voices in a community that’ll both nurture and challenge the content presented.
3
We provide in-depth mentorship opportunities for young artists and emerging arts leaders in the Twin Cities.
Our Programs
#ReverbOpenMic
Remixing the traditional notion of an open mic by holding up not just the art, but the space (physical, social, spiritual, etc.) that art creates.
Saint Paul Youth Poet Laureate (SPYPL)
Amplifying the voice of emerging youth poets in Saint Paul through a 2-part competitive process resulting in one artist serving as the Youth Poet Laureate of the city for one year.
Be Heard MN Youth Poetry Slam Series
Harnessing the social and cultural power of slam poetry to create a platform through which young people’s stories are validated and celebrated.
Arts Education
Critical pedagogy facilitated by world-renowned practicing artists.
Additional Programs
Flip the Script!: Youth Writing & Performance Conference / Page. Stage. Engage. / Write to Be Heard / Beats, Battles, Bars / Youth Advisory Board (YAB) /
Literary Contests + More