Middle Tennessee's top college and high school poets, emcees, and spoken word artists will convene to showcase the year's top youth spoken word performances. The State of the Word is an opportunity for Tennesseans to hear from the next generation of leaders as they elucidate their hopes, dreams, fears, and concerns.

Co-hosted by Youth Speaks Nashville and Vandy Spoken Word, The State of the Word is the region's leading youth poetry event. Last year, more than 300 people watched over 40 poets from 7 universities and 12 high schools and middle schools perform. This year, organizers anticipate representatives from Vanderbilt, Belmont, TSU, MTSU, Fisk, Maplewood, Hunters Lane, Overton, Stratford, Big Picture, Hillsboro, MLK, Hume Fogg, LEAD, Jere Baxter, and East Literature.

The State of the Word is sponsored by Vanderbilt University's Commons, Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, Admissions, Writing Studio, Office of Leadership Development & Intercultural Affairs, Metro Arts Commission, and Tennessee Arts Commission.