Battle of the Boroughs Teen Poetry Slam

Parlé Endeavors is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit founded in 2022 to support youth and emerging adults in historically underserved neighborhoods through creative expression, mentorship, and civic engagement. We work to amplify voices and provide pathways for young people to reach their full potential. Our mission is to help youth achieve personal and career growth to succeed in life and give back to their communities. Our vision is a world where young people—regardless of background—can use their voice to shape culture, access opportunity, and lead change in their community.  The work begins in New York City, and continues to grow.

We operate with a lean but effective structure that allows us to remain responsive to community needs while delivering high-quality programming. Our team includes one full-time staff member, three part-time staff, and a network of over 50 volunteers, teaching artists, and mentors. This model allows us to combine professional expertise with community-based insight, ensuring that our programs are both well-managed and culturally relevant.

Our leadership brings deep experience in youth development, education, and creative programming. Our Executive Director has over 20 years of experience working with young people across New York City, with a focus on building programs that support literacy, leadership, and long-term growth. 

Since our founding, Parlé Endeavors has engaged hundreds of youth through workshops, public programs, and school-based initiatives. Our work includes the Battle of the Boroughs Teen Poetry Slam Series, our scholarship and grant initiative, our mentorship and internship opportunities, youth mental health workshops, and our Youth Empowerment Weekend, each of which has demonstrated our ability to successfully engage students, build confidence, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Empowering the urban community has been a goal for our founder and executive director Kevin Benoit for almost–20 years. As a freshman in college, at 17 years old, in May of 2004, Benoit created Parlé Magazine, an entertainment magazine spotlighting entertainment and featuring celebrity interviews, but also mindful to keep literacy and the written word at the forefront.  The publication was created to empower, entertain, educate, motivate, and engage Black and Brown lives within the media industry. Black-owned and Black-led, the publication prioritizes BIPOC voices and stories. The digital site continues to this day.  Parle Endeavors is an opportunity to give young people the tools he needed when he was their age - whether through financial support, mentorship, or a creative outlet. 

• https://parleendeavors.org/