Meet the Founder
Yecheilyah Ysrayl is a distinguished multi-award-winning author and poet hailing from Chicago's South Side. She is renowned for her commitment to uncovering and preserving the rich, often underrepresented narratives of African Americans. Driven by a passion for social justice and historical accuracy, her work confronts historical erasure and advocates for a more inclusive understanding of history. Currently residing in Georgia with her husband, Yecheilyah devotes herself fully to writing and publishing, continuing to inspire and educate through her literary contributions.
“I feel a little like Sidney Shaw when she talks about hip-hop in Brown Sugar when I say this (haha), but it’s true: Poetry was my first love. It met me before I knew how to filter myself, before I learned how to be anything but honest. I could be raw. I could be messy. I could tell the truth in fragments and rhythms that mirrored my emotions.
Poetry taught me how to arrange my thoughts the way a DJ arranges sound. I learned how to sit with my feelings, work through them, and turn them into something beautiful.
Through the written and spoken word, I learned not just how to write but also how to speak and how to claim my voice. And I hope that through this contest, you will find your voice, too.”
-Founder, Yecheilyah Ysrayl
Our Mission
Founded by author and poet Yecheilyah Ysrayl, Yecheilyah's Annual Poetry Contest is a vibrant national and international online competition that celebrates the transformative power of poetry. Established in 2017, this contest provides a platform for talented poets to share their voices and stories with a global audience.
The mission is to highlight the healing and empowering benefits of poetry, showcasing its ability to inspire change and unite communities. Whether you are an emerging or established poet, this contest offers a unique opportunity to step into the spotlight and make an impact through your words. No more hiding behind the pen. Step into the spotlight. This. Is. Your. Time.
Poetry Contests Help To:
Boost Credibility: Winning or placing in a poetry contest adds credibility to a poet's work. Credibility boosts a poet's portfolio, helping them secure other opportunities like publishing deals.
Exposure: Many contests feature winners in anthologies, websites, or social media, providing poets with a wider visibility they didn't have before. This visibility leads to paid opportunities.
Skill Development: The themes and prompts of contests push poets to explore new topics and refine their craft. Our deadlines also foster productivity to encourage poets to complete and polish their work on time.