The Poetic Convergence (powered by Get Lit – Words Ignite) is a one-day convening of teachers, student leaders, arts champions, and poetic giants for the purpose of creating and sustaining poetic communities inside Los Angeles county schools and their neighborhoods. The Poetic Convergence offers attendees interactive workshops, engaging keynotes, and open mics to build community and creativity among our schools. Join us to transform the educational experiences and outcomes of our youth.

Capacity is limited to 100 people and we will sell out, so please RSVP in advance. You will be informed via email if we reach capacity and we will add you to the wait list!

This event is focused on teachers and students, with joint sessions in the morning and break-out sessions in the afternoon. Teachers are encouraged to bring students from their classes. The general public may also attend pending availability.

Keynote speakers: Bestselling poet & activist Yesika Salgado & visiting Korean poet Oh Eun (in partnership with the South Korean Embassy).

Workshop leaders: Derrick C. Brown (President of Write Bloody, America’s largest indie poetry press, and Los Feliz Poet Laureate) and Kim Dower (Red Hen Press Author, 3rd West Hollywood Poet Laureate) alongside Get Lit Staff.

2025 Poetic Convergence Schedule

8:30-9:30 // Breakfast

9:30-10:30 // Welcome & Keynote by International Scholar Oh Eun (Courtesy of the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles)

10:35-11:45 // Breakout Workshops: Derrick C. Brown, Kim Dower, Oh Eun

11:50-12:10 // Lunch

12:15-1:15 // Afternoon Keynote with Yesika Salgado

1:20-2:30 // Breakout Workshops: Educators and Students Track

2:40-3:00 // Closing Circle with Brian Sonia-Wallace

3:30-5:00 // (Optional) Mixer at Public School in Downtown Culver

Who are we?
Get Lit – Words Ignite is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that harnesses the power of Spoken Word, technology, and community to ignite student engagement, literacy, and young voices around the globe.