ELEVATE (v.) raise or lift to a higher position
ELEVATE is a showcase of Black and Brown youth voices, ages 14–20, as they uplift one another through the art of spoken word. This project shares untold and unseen works that center around local and national historical events, the impact of systemic racism, and individuals’ personal experiences and passions. Most importantly, ELEVATE is a celebration and empowerment of the people — an event created for the community, by the community.
Save the Date!
ELEVATE FINAL PERFORMANCE
FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH, 2027
Format
- Weekly in person writing sessions starting in February
- Three rehearsals in June followed by a Final Performance on June 4, 2027
- Participants must produce, at minimum, (2) original spoken word piece + (1) group piece
Benefits
- Payment for participation in the program
- Opportunity to strengthen writing skills and onstage presence
- Mentorship from local artists and mentors
- Open Mic’s + Workshops
- Professional performance experience in a renowned venue
- Highlights on STG’s social and newsletter platforms
- Meals provided at rehearsals and performances
- Possible future performance opportunities throughout the season
2027 Sessions
Orientation: January 27, 5:30-6:30pm (Zoom)
Writing Sessions: February 3 – May 26, 5:30-7:30pm. Held every Wednesday at Kerry Hall
(except for the week of February 15-19 and April 12-16)
Tech Rehearsal: June 1, 5:00-9:30pm
Tech Rehearsal: June 2, 5:00-9:30pm
Tech Rehearsal: June 3, 5:00-9:30pm
Final Performance: June 4, 2026 7:30pm
Interested in participating in the program?
Registration is now closed for ELEVATE 2026. We will open registrations for ELEVATE 2027 early October 2026.
2026 ELEVATE ARTISTS
Amani Tompkins
Amani Tompkins is an intelligent and inspiring creator whose artistic journey began with poetry and blossomed into a multifaceted expression of purpose. At age 18, she has fully embraced her identity as a violinist, dancer, poet, singer, and performer—using each discipline to uplift, inspire, and advocate.
Her spoken word pieces have been featured in Art Corps’ 2022 Student Museum Showcase and has been praised in performances alongside Northwest Tap Connection, Young Gifted and Black Student Showcase, and others across the Puget Sound. She has recently been recognized as a 2x winner of Princeton Prize in Race and Relations regional award for her champion for Black Versatility in the arts.
Currently a Senior at Lakeside School, she plans to study Violin Performance or Music Therapy to continue finding ways to give back to the community she loves.
New to ELEVATE this year, she is excited to produce work with her peers that promotes healing, critical thinking, and justice.
Doe
Doe is a 16-year-old sophomore, attending Chief Sealth International Highschool. Born in West Africa, and raised in Seattle, Doe has always loved embracing her heritage and experiences as a young black woman, which she uses to fuel her creativity. She has always loved to express herself through acting and poetry. She has worked as an actress before, her most recent acting endeavors include performing at the Next Narrative Monologue competition through Seattle Rep theatre and playing Hamlet with the Young Shakespeare Workshop organization. In July of 2025 she also had the opportunity to perform poetry at a national level with Brave New Voices. And now she is beyond excited to spread her wings and join ELEVATE this year. She is ready for the exciting opportunity to collaborate with others and experience the beauty that is black and brown solidarity!
Faye Sampson
My name is Faye Jhanae Sampson I am 13 years old & this is my first year in elevate and what I am excited for about elevate is that I am able to express my feeling without feeling like I need to hold things back.
Harlem Yarbrough
Harlem Naché Yarbrough is a multi-talented 16-year-old artist, dancer, and poet whose name honors the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance—a reflection of the creative fire she’s carried since birth. Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Harlem’s journey in the arts began early with local dance studios and blossomed into a deep commitment to movement, expression, and storytelling.
Harlem began her dance and performance journey as a proud member of Northwest Tap Connection, where she trained in hip-hop, ballet-modern, and tap. She also formerly danced with In The Kut Studios as part of the “First Klass” Dance Team. Harlem’s talent has taken her to stages across the city, including a starring role in the 2024 Seattle Teen Summer Musical Snow Whyte and the Seven, and as a featured poet in the Seattle Theatre Group’s ELEVATE Youth Spoken Word Program.
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2018, Harlem has transformed her challenges into fuel, using dance and art as tools for resilience and strength. A 11th grader at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS), she served as captain of the school’s competitive dance and is enrolled in advanced dance courses. She also is a leader of Seattle Academy’s new cheer squad and has just recently placed 1st at State for speech and debate and is headed to Nationals.
A proud student leader and social justice advocate, Harlem founded the Black Girl Magic Club to empower and uplift young Black girls. With dreams of becoming a pediatric endocrinologist, she hopes to attend Howard or Harvard—while dancing every step of the way.
Josie Ellis
Josie Ellis is a 18-year-old athlete and student who attends Eastside academic school. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and raised in Seattle, Washington, she grew up taking tap and hip-hop classes. In her teen years her focus shifted to sports, competing in basketball, softball, flag football, tackle football, and swim team. Her favorite positions are her team’s football defensive tackle and her softball team’s third basemen. She plays professional football for the Seattle Majestics, which is part of a women’s tackle football league. In her spare time she likes to make and produce music. She also loves to cook and is considering culinary school. She is adopted and lives with her parents, younger brother and a chiweenie named Dill Pickles.
Madison Bryant
My name is Madison and I am a 19 year old creative. My love for the arts began with dance and has grown into many different forms of expression. While dance gave me movement, spoken word gave me a voice. It allows me to speak on social issues that cannot always be explained through an eight count. I hope that one day my words can stand for something bigger than myself and challenge the state of our world.
Maya Russell
Maya Michelle Russell is a passionate artist who loves creating and performing across multiple disciplines. This is her 5th year with Elevate.
The 18 year old also loves music and is a 2026 National YoungArts award winner with Distinction for Voice; and has appeared in the Intiman Theatre’s holiday production, “Black Nativity”. She is also a “More Music at the Moore” alum, Seattle Theater’s Group’s premier program to develop young talent.
Maya is a senior at Holy Names Academy, where she serves as co-class President and plays flag football.
Mikayla Sullivan
Sinatra Kirvin
Hi my name is Sinatra, I’m 17 years old and a junior in high school. I’m passionate about the arts and excited to be a part of Elevate for the year of 2026!
Taliyah Lard
My name is Taliyah-Tatiiyanna I am 18 years old a senior in high school I am the first in my family to graduate high school and attend college , I am a big role model for my siblings they are my motivation for everything I do. I am very grateful young black and gifted girl!
Yaretzi Villa Aguilar
Yaretzi Villa Aguilar is a 16-year-old sophomore in high school with a passion for growth, impact, and self-expression. As an athlete and a newcomer to the spoken word industry, she is eager to grow as a writer and performer while using her voice to inspire others and advocate for positive change. In her first year of ELEVATE, she looks forward to challenging herself, building meaningful connections, developing her skills, and making a positive impact.
Zoe Plummer
My name is Zoe Plummer, I’m 16yrs old and in the 10th grade, this is my 2nd year in ELEVATE. I like to write poetry and short stories, I also love Art and practicing the skill of drawing. When I am not writing or drawing, I love to spend time with my sisters and mom. I have a great love for animals and one day aspire to be a veterinarian and publish a book of poetry.
2026 ELEVATE MENTORS
Chelsey Richardson
Chelsey Richardson is a mother, teacher, curator, co host and creator of a monthly open mic Smoken Word, mentor and a poet. In 2019-2020 she was awarded the role of “Master Poet” by The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions. She is the creator of the workshop, Writing as Self Love, a workshop developed to harness the power of healing trauma through the written word. She released her debut poetry book, All Water has Perfect Memory in 2021. You may have read or heard her work in Poetry on the Bus, The South Seattle Emerald, The Carter Center Forum on Human Rights in Atlanta, and Natasha Marin’s, Black Powerful.. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington and Master’s in Teaching English Education.
Nakeya Isabell
Nakeya Isabell is a Seattle native. She is passionate about youth, art, education, and being the change she desires to see. In 2017, she lost her cousin Charleena Lyles to police gun violence. The next year she released a spoken word project entitled “Love, Justice, & Truth” which included a piece about her cousin. She believes art has the ability to make hard truths digestible. Currently, Nakeya works as a Restorative Practices Coordinator. She graduated and played basketball for Pepperdine University. She received her Masters in education from the University of Washington. One of her favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
ELEVATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Shakiah Danielson is a Seattle-based emcee, choreographer, and teaching artist. Shakiah is the Artistic Director /Producer of “The Groovement”, and developed the hip hop program at Northwest Tap Connection in Seattle, Wa. Shakiah is also a teaching artist for Seattle Theater Group, and Arts Corp working with youth in the greater Seattle area and the juvenile detention system. Shakiah began rapping and choreographing over 20+ years ago for theater productions by Restoration of the Arts (ROTA). Shakiah also created a piece that led to a cinematic collaboration with the National YoungArts Foundation on race and social justice called “Hell You Talmbout” that went viral twice as well as circulated and won awards at multiple film festivals. Shakiah is the current Artistic Director for Elevate, Director of the collaborative hip hop showcase The Roster, and monthly community hip hop workshops called The Bar Exam. For Shakiah, her drive has always been about true and sincere impact and transformation through the arts.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
