FROM THE PULITZER CENTER
Every year, we invite young poets around the world to use poetry to respond to the global issues featured in Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of the Fighting Words Poetry Contest.
Today at 3:00pm EDT, we will be joined by past contest winners for a virtual discussion and workshop on how the combined power of poetry and journalism can illuminate injustice, challenge dominant narratives, and foster empathy and solidarity.
This event will be moderated by Hannah Berk, Senior Manager of the Pulitzer Center’s Impact Special Initiatives. Guest speakers include:
Max Lee, whose poem “exposure / exposé / exposed” won first place in the 2024 Fighting Words Poetry Contest’s Global Health category, inspired by grantee Thomas Novelly’s story “They Stood Sentry Over America’s Nuclear Missile Arsenal. Many Worry It Gave Them Cancer.‘“
Charisma Holly, who wrote “Healing Roots” in response to grantee Justin Cook’s story “The Soil Farmers: Black Food Sovereignty and Climate Solutions,” and was named a finalist in the 2024 Fighting Words Poetry Contest’s Climate and Environment category.
Elise Matney, first-place winner in the 2025 Fighting Words Poetry Contest’s Information and AI category for her entry “TAMING OF THE MACHINE,” which responded to grantee Niamh McIntyre’s story “How Your Data Ends Up in AI Training Sets.”
Poets will offer a brief reading, discuss the issues and stories that move them, and reflect on the connections between their writing and civic action. Attendees can also take part in a writing exercise to create and share a poetic response to a story on current challenges to democracy and human rights.
This event is designed for middle and high school students, along with their educators, but all are welcome to participate and we would love for you to join us!
