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Poetry In Action: Open Mic – Ypsilanti Youth Poet Laureate
March 14 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Poetry In Action: Open Mic – Ypsilanti Youth Poet Laureate
Description provided by the Ypsilanti Youth Poet Laureate, Ruth Mella
Event: Open Mic: Join us for an evening of powerful storytelling and artistic expression at the Poetry in Action: Open Mic, hosted by Ruth Mella, Ypsilanti’s first Youth Poet Laureate. This event will take place on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, creating a space where youth, young adults, college students, and the broader Ypsilanti community can come together to share their stories through poetry, spoken word, and performance.
Centered around the theme of social injustices in our community, this open mic is more than just a stage—it is a platform for activism, awareness, and healing. By amplifying diverse voices, we seek to foster connection, celebrate resilience, and spark meaningful dialogue. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or sharing for the first time, your voice matters, and this is a space to be heard.
Join us in building a community of artists and advocates who believe in the power of words to inspire change. Come to listen, come to vibe, come to express.
Ticket Cost:
About Ruth Mella:
Ruth Mella is a poet, writer, and community advocate who has the honor of being Ypsilanti’s first Youth Poet Laureate on behalf of the Ypsilanti Youth Poet Laureate Program. As the 2024 Ypsilanti Writer of the Year and a recipient of the MLK Writing Scholarship, she uses her voice to uplift stories of resilience, identity, and social change.
A senior at Eastern Michigan University, Ruth balances her academic journey with an active role in the community, facilitating creative writing and poetry workshops for local youth through Community Reads. She has been featured at events such as the Presidential MLK Luncheon, the Juneteenth flag raising for Washtenaw County, and Saint Joseph Hospital’s farm fundraiser. Her work is set to be published in Poetree Town for National Poetry Month.
Beyond poetry, Ruth is dedicated to social work, preparing for a career in one-on-one therapy. Her commitment to storytelling, advocacy, and artistic expression continues to inspire and empower those around her.
