2026 Slam Season Crowns the DMV Youth Slam Team
After months of competition, four young poets earned spots on the 2026 DMV Youth Slam Team and now begin training for the Brave New Voices International Poetry Festival this July.
Photo by Kevin Hinton
The 2026 slam season is officially in the books — and it was historic.
Six of the DMV’s most dynamic young voices took the stage to speak their truth during this year’s Grand Slam Championship. After two rounds of competition, Pariah’s Rage claimed the Grand Slam title and a $150 prize as the 2026 DMV Youth Slam Team was officially announced.
Here's how the scores shook out:
DMV Youth Slam Team
Now the work begins.
The DMV Youth Slam Team will spend the coming weeks training with world renowned poets and preparing to represent the region at the Brave New Voices International Poetry Festival this July. The international festival brings together youth poets from across the world for workshops, performances, community building and slam competition.
Follow the team’s journey on our Instagram and check out below our photo gallery from the slam competition.
