Each summer, for the last four years, New York City’s next generation of storytellers compete in a series of poetry slams in hopes of making the most out of their night.
On Saturday, July 25, Parle Endeavors Inc., hosted its fourth annual Battle of the Boroughs Teen Poetry Slam at 651 ARTS in Downtown Brooklyn. Open to youth poets ages 13 to 19, the competition invites young artists to perform original poetry or a cappella rap while competing for cash prizes ranging from $150 to the $1,000 grand prize. This year, after preliminary rounds held across the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, teens advanced to the semifinals round in the Bronx and Manhattan. Ultimately, ten finalists advanced to the championship, where each performed three original poems in front of a live audience.
Founded in 2022, Parle Endeavors is a youth centered nonprofit whose mission is rooted in supporting youth in the arts and in media.
First Place: Araceli Flores
At just 15 years old, Araceli Flores is already continuing her family tradition of storytelling. The rising junior at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School comes from a family of artists. Her Dad is a visual artist, while her mother is a writer, making it is no surprise that poetry became her way of expression.
For Araceli, poetry is an important form of representation. “Coming from a background of stories that are not always told, or when they are told, they’re told through stereotypes, or they’re told incorrectly,” she shared on why she chooses poetry.
Although it is only the start of this young poet’s journey, she shared with us a mindset that keeps her grounded.
“Thinking about the line that I’m on, not the line that’s coming.”
A mentality that will take her far.
Second Place: Mariam Dembélé
For Mariam Dembélé, our 19-year-old poet, her journey with poetry began in high school.
Dembélé is a rising junior at Howard University, and it was her 11th-grade English teacher who first introduced her to poetry slam. This helped her realize that poetry allowed her to articulate herself in ways she couldn’t before.
“That’s my favorite thing about writing; that I can really express myself.”
When she performs, her authenticity and confidence become impossible to ignore, and it’s because she truly believes in everything she says.
“Because I care so deeply about what I’m saying.”
Dembélé has competed in all four Parle Endeavors teen slams up until this point. This will be her last time competing as she will turn 20 before next year’s competition, but she will likely return as a host, as other alumni have done in recent years.
Third Place: Jada King
Jada King brought more than poetry to the stage; she brought music, theater, and most importantly, vulnerability.
The 18-year-old Staten Island representative, Curtis High School graduate, and incoming Delaware State University freshmen, has a background in singing and theater, skills that can be seen through her poetry. Her final performance blended lyrics from The Jackson 5’s “Who’s Lovin’ You” with her own personal story, reflecting her emotional honesty.
“It’s okay to be vulnerable.”
King hopes her words encourage audiences to become more socially, culturally, and personally aware while also reminding them that honesty and vulnerability are not weaknesses.
View this post on Instagram
Fourth Place: Danica Torres
For Danica Torres, her creative writing has always come to her naturally.
The 19-year-old rising junior at Oberlin College from Jamaica, Queens, sees her storytelling as a way to communicate to her audience that no experience is too messy, too ordinary, or too uncomfortable to discuss.
“Creative writing has always been a beacon in my life.”
Although she is naturally more shy offstage, Torres describes becoming someone entirely different the moment she steps away from her chair.
Embracing what she calls “the braggadocio of a rapper,” which allows confidence to replace any nervousness she might have while fueling “sources of anger, but also sources of humor.”
View this post on Instagram
Fifth Place: Nora Sali-Binta
18-year-old Nora Sali-Binta’s journey into poetry began with her determination.
As an eighth grader, she noticed her school had no plans to celebrate Black History Month. Yet instead of accepting that reality, she persisted in her demands until she successfully organized an entire celebration.
“Keep using art to force people to pay attention.”
For the event, she performed an original poem and discovered a love she was not expecting.
Today, Sali-Binta continues writing because she believes art challenges her.
“Constantly putting myself in uncomfortable situations and having to make myself comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
View this post on Instagram
Finalists
While only five poets were able to walk away with awards, every finalist made unforgettable memories.
Hakimah Malam, an 18-year-old sophomore at John Jay College, described the event as filled with unforgettable energy, emphasizing that “poetic space is always truly important” to her.
Conwedee Nunu, an 18-year-old rising sophomore at Rutgers University, views poetry and acting as inseparable art forms. Having discovered spoken word through her faith, she believes writing is “really just the Holy Spirit working,” making every performance feel like a manifestation for her.
For Madison Jones, a rising senior at Urban Assembly of Government & Law in Queens, this year marked her first time performing her poetry publicly. After periods where she questioned whether she had lost her love of storytelling, that night became a milestone in discovering her voice.
Messiah Baptiste, a 17-year-old student at Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx, expressed pride simply in reaching the finals. Through his poetry, he hopes the audience can understand and feel the pain behind his words.
Closing out the evening was Queens native, Eli Nelson of Thomas A. Edison High School’s Class of ‘26. Inspired by a speech from Malcolm X, Nelson’s poetry challenges listeners to reject complacency and embrace growth. While he remains committed to writing authentically for himself rather than appealing to outside expectations, his greatest hope is that audiences don’t simply hear his words, but actually carry his message into their own lives. He’ll be attending SUNY Cortland in the fall.
This year’s Battle of the Boroughs competition proved that the future of New York City’s storytelling is already in remarkably capable hands.
Readers can support the work of Parle Endeavors with donations or by serving as a mentor. More info here.
