Lyric's "Dream Big" Contest reveals hope, vision in Baltimore's youth

By Tom Hall,

Published July 4, 2022 at 12:41 PM EDT

Now in its fifth year, the Lyric Baltimore-sponsored Dream Big contest invites 5th through 12th graders across Baltimore to submit essays, poems or videos inspired by Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech that he delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. Students are asked to write about what their dreams are for themselves, their families and their communities. (image credit Lyric Baltimore Education Foundation) — Now in its fifth year, the Lyric Baltimore-sponsored Dream Big contest invites 5th through 12th graders across Baltimore to create a written or video presentation describing their dreams -- for themselves, their families and their communities. (Image credit Lyric Baltimore Education Foundation)

We turn now to the 2022 Dream Big Contest, a competition inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s ”I Have a Dream Speech.” Students from Baltimore City and Baltimore County grades 5-12 were asked to submit poems, essays and videos describing their dreams for themselves and for their communities. The contest, now in its fifth year, is sponsored by Lyric Baltimore’s Education Foundation.

Tom is joined on Zoom by two of the 12 finalists honored at the Awards Ceremony at the Lyric this past April 18 (broadcast by event co-sponsor WBAL-TV11 on Apr. 24):

(L-R) Asia Webster was a 9th grader at Baltimore City College when she submitted her winning essay, "If I Had A Dream; Carrie Snowden was an 11th grader at Baltimore Design School when she entered her winning video, "Carrie's Story." (courtesy photos)

Asia Webster competed as a 9^th grade student at Baltimore City College. She was honored for her essay, If I Had a Dream. Asia is a Youth Cultural Arts Organizer for the Youth Resiliency Institute, where founder/artistic director Navasha Daya describes Asia as "a wonderful improvisational actor, prolific writer, and a bit obsessed with Starbucks..."

Denise Kumani Gantt, Ed Dir., LyricBalt.png — Denise Kumani Gantt is director of education and a resident artist with Lyric Baltimore (courtesy photo)

Carrie Snowden was an 11^th grader at the Baltimore Design School; her submission was a video called Carrie’s Story, which you can see on this Youtube link; Carrie is a member of the Bmore Youth Arts Advocacy Council, a program of Arts Every Day, which advocates for more arts instruction and engagement in Baltimore City Public Schools.

Also joining Tom on Zoom is Denise Kumani Gantt. She is the Director of Education and a resident artist with Lyric Baltimore, and one of the prime movers behind the "Dream Big" Contest.

For more information about the "Dream Big" Contest, email: [email protected]

These conversation were previously recorded, so we can't take any live calls, emails or Tweets.