By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
More than 200 students from Birmingham and Jefferson County schools, ranging from elementary to high school, gathered at Red Mountain Theatre (RMT) on Friday for the fifth annual YouthSpeak showcase.
The gathering, a partnership between Birmingham City Councilor Crystal N. Smitherman and RMT, amplifies the voices of young people through the transformative power of the arts.
Through spoken word, music, dance, and dramatic performance, students reminded the audience that creativity is not just extracurricular — it is essential.
“Extraordinary,” said Smitherman following the showcase. “I always get so excited for this every year.”
The Smitherman-RMT partnership has grown steadily since its inception, and the City Councilor hopes that this growth will continue.
“More students,” she said when asked what’s ahead for YouthSpeak. “We want to continue to have that support. I think just really seeing what else these kids can create, because this is beautiful.”
This year’s program featured students from Green Acres Middle School, Oxmoor Valley Elementary, Ramsay High School, Carver High School, A.H. Parker High School, Jackson-Olin High School, Hemphill Elementary, and the Jefferson County Academy of Theater and Dance.
At its heart, YouthSpeak was created to provide something many young people lack — a safe, affirming space to be heard.
“I want to make sure that our kids have a non-judgmental, safe zone — a place and platform to really express how they feel,” Smitherman said. “I think a lot of times, we talk at kids and not talk to kids and not really listen to what they say as adults. And they have a lot to say.”
In fact, the event’s very name came from the students themselves.
“The kids actually created the title, YouthSpeak,” Smitherman shared. “This just shows that you have something to say — and it’s important. And it matters.”
