Spoken word is something that a lot of people don't quite have the stage presence or talent to do. This isn't an everyday skill that someone would naturally develop, but instead is something that takes time, passion, and patience. Spoken word is some of the most powerful poetry in the world as this is often the method used to drive home serious points.

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Kalamazoo is a bustling city that is full of people that want to give back to their community. Many of the people in Kalamazoo and the surrounding area of Southwest Michigan understand that the key to the future is in our young people. That's why many people devote their lives to helping young people navigate their life. Most of the time, they are doing this work on a volunteer basis and often times through a nonprofit organization.

Kalamazoo Nonprofit Inspiring Youth Through Spoken Word

Kalamazoo is full of nonprofit organizations that are helping people shape their lives every single day but there is a new nonprofit that is quickly making waves throughout the city. Speak It Forward is a nonprofit organization in Kalamazoo is that is not only helping young people find new purpose but find their voice in life as well.

Kirk Latimer and Gabriel Giron members of the spoken word duo Kinetic Affect have joined forces again to establish Speak It Forward. The nonprofit is designed to helping teens discover their voices and gives them a platform to use them. They have an annual event called “Speak it Froward: A Celebration of Success” which showcases some of their students from the year, some incredible stories, and great performances.

They will be holding “Speak it Froward: A Celebration of Success” for the first time since 2019. They held the event on May 7th at Chenery Auditorium and named it after Kirk Latimer who lost his life in 2020 due to a thyroid shut down. The event is now called Speak it Forward Presents – Kirk Latimer: Celebration of Success.

For more information on the organization, follow Speak it Forward on Facebook or visit speakitforwardinc.org.

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