Slam Poetry Highlights: Michael Hatcher & Jasmine Games Shine in 2025

2025 has been a landmark year for every.Word Poetry’s guiding voices, Michael Hatcher and Jasmine Games, who amplified Austin’s spoken word presence on both national and regional stages with bold performances, hometown pride, and unforgettable moments.

Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam – Albuquerque, New Mexico

At the 2025 Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam, organized by Kelsey Bigelow and team and held July 23-28 at the Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel, poets from across the country came together for a week of poetry, community-building, and celebration of spoken word. The festival featured writing workshops, panel discussions, and multiple open mics, offering poets opportunities to share their craft, network, and exchange ideas.

The slam itself followed a multi-round, cumulative scoring format. Poets competed across preliminary bouts, advancing through semifinals to earn a spot on the coveted final stage. Each poet performed original work with a three-minute time limit, scored by a panel of judges selected from the audience, a tradition rooted in slam’s community-driven spirit.

We are proud to celebrate this year’s Top 10 poets for their incredible artistry:

1. Black Chakra

2. Nate Lovell

3. Tru Kwene

4. Skyelyn Riggs-Davis

5. Dove Dupree

6. LadyK

7. Artist JoeMac

8. Lydia Gates

9. Keith Allen

10. Jasmine Games

    
    

Representing every.Word Poetry and The Poet House, Jasmine made an impressive debut, reaching final stage and earning 10th place overall in her first-ever national slam finals. Her performances combined fierce storytelling, emotional vulnerability, and sharp social commentary, standing out among the nation’s best. This milestone highlights both Jasmine’s individual artistry and the thriving creative culture of Austin’s poetry scene.

Right 2Write Poetry Slam Festival – Oak Cliff and Dallas, Texas

The 3rd Annual Right 2Write Poetry Slam Festival, organized by Alex the Great and team, took place on August 30, 2025, at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center and Texas Theater in Dallas. The festival featured workshops, yoga, service projects, and multiple slam formats.

every.Word Poetry had an unforgettable experience:

• The day began with a writing workshop led by Alysia Harris.

• Poets competed fiercely in the Nerd Slam and Haiku Death Match, then took the Texas Theatre stage for the slam finals.

• Michael Hatcher closed out the night with energy and artistry in the Underground Poetry Slam.

Both Jasmine and Michael were born in the DFW area, making this festival an especially meaningful homecoming.

Special Shout-Outs

• Haiku Battle Winner: Wayne Henry

• Nerd Slam Winner: Jasmine Games

• Underground Slam Winner: Nova Atkins

• Slam Finalists: Terry Odis (1st), Briana Taylor (2nd), Hilton Christopher Young (3rd)

Jasmine brought home 1st in the Nerd Slam, 2nd in the Haiku Death Match, and 5th in the Slam Finals, showing her versatility and commanding presence.

A heartfelt thank you to Dee Miller, Board Chair of The Poet House, for sponsoring this trip, and to Boooka, committee member, for capturing these special moments through photography and videography.

A Year of Growth, Homecoming, and Poetic Power

From Albuquerque to Oak Cliff, Michael and Jasmine carried the torch for every.Word Poetry, demonstrating the depth and brilliance of Austin’s spoken word scene. Their performances and experiences on these stages reflect The Poet House’s mission to uplift diverse voices and provide transformative platforms for artists.

As these leaders return home, they hope to bring their learning and inspiration from these national stages back to both every.Word Poetry and Courageous Cadence. Together, these programs create a bridge between emerging and experienced poets, proving that the power of poetry is rooted in community, nurtures identity, and resonates far beyond a single stage.