A group of young poets from New Haven is putting the Elm City in the national spotlight. The Ink Theory slam poetry team gained national recognition when they were crowned the 2026 Brave New Voices Poetry Slam Champions in San Francisco in July.

Team’s Journey to Success

The team — Shawn Douglas, Lucky Francis, Jayden Barrett, Lincey Violette, and Journey Rosa — has only been working together since the spring, but together they have accomplished what teams who have spent years together are working toward. For Douglas, slam poetry has helped him overcome adversity, including a stutter he had growing up.

Yexandra Diaz, The Word’s artistic director and one of Ink Theory’s coaches, said the national title is a first for the team and for Connecticut. “They’re very proud of themselves,” Diaz said. “We’re very proud of them.”

Diaz and Tarishi Shuler, another Ink Theory coach, say they are using their passion for poetry to deliver an inspiring message and educate the next generation of slam poets. “We are passing the baton of storytelling, and they are handling that with integrity, with dignity, with pride, with immense talent,” Diaz said.

Ink Theory is gearing up for more performances and already looking ahead to next year’s competition. “Whatever God has in store for us,” Douglas said. “I can’t say, but all I know is that I’ll be there.” One team member is also aging out of the youth program and hopes to join The Word, continuing to help make the Elm City a name in the world of slam poetry.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.