Deadline TO SUBMIT: NOV. 15

I realized I was no longer a Black Gyrl when my spoken word begin to change.. I began writing with a deeper intention and clarity. What once flowed raw and rebellious evolved into language laced with purpose. As my vocabulary expanded, so did my sense of identity—each word carefully chosen to represent not just my truth, but a collective legacy. I refined my diction, practiced my enunciation, and made a conscious decision to strip away profanity and generational slang that, while authentic, limited how far my message could travel. It wasn't about censorship—it was about elevation. I knew my voice had power, and with it came responsibility. In that shift from expression to impact, I felt the change. It was like an internal morphing — rooted in culture and responsibility, sharpened by experience, and committed to storytelling that transcends time and trends. I am a Black, female poet and I am standing on it, 10 toes down!