Our Mission:

By immersing students in the joy and power of poetry and literary self-expression, InsideOut inspires them to think broadly, create bravely and share their voices with the wider world.

Check out our new video!

In our 23 years, InsideOut has inspired over 55,000 students to think broadly, create bravely, and share their voices with the wider world. Our new video celebrates this accomplishment through the voices of students, teachers, writers, and staff.

Painting of Dr. Terry Blackhawk from “Detroit Portrait Series” by Nicole Macdonald.
Video by Kingdom Eye.

InsideOut celebrates National Poetry Month

To amplify student voices this April, we asked our community of poets and writers to share the writing of an InsideOut student poet. Hear what they have to say – we guarantee you’ll be moved.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a gift to InsideOut and help us to share the power of poetry with more students.

Meet the 2018 Detroit Youth Poet Laureate Imani Nichele!

The Detroit Youth Poet Laureate title is given to one teen each year to promote literacy, artistic engagement, and civic awareness among their peers. They will design a community service project, publish a collection of poems, and perform across the city.

Learn more about Youth Poet Laureate and Ambassadors program.

Citywide Poets Has a Home in Hamtramck

Beginning on January 30th, writers age 13 to 19 will gather at Hamtramck Library from 4:30 to 6:30 to analyze works of poetry, develop original pieces of creative writing, and build upon a growing community of writers in the metro Detroit area. Hamtramck Library will host Citywide Poets sessions EVERY Tuesday for all interested writers. Students will also gain access to public performance opportunities, poetry slam competitions, publication opportunities and more.

This program is free for all! Fill out our digital registration form HERE, and join us on January 30th for the first session of 2018!

We made our $10,000 match!

Thank you to everyone who supported us this month and made this short campaign a complete success!

Because of you, our amazing community, the Dr. Terry Blackhawk Fund for Program Excellence is built on a strong foundation that will allow InsideOut to grow well into the future.

Strategic philanthropy is truly powerful, and we thank you for believing in the power of youth voice.

Executive Director Suma Rosen is featured on Comcast Newsmakers

Listen to Suma talk about InsideOut’s 22-year legacy inspiring Detroit students through creative writing.

Thank you to Comcast and Laurel Hess for showcasing our work!