JOEL ORTIZ
Joel Ortiz is a 16-year-old poet, born in Irvington, NJ, who has been writing poetry since 3rd grade. The tenth grader, who now resides in Rahway, writes about the inner city and life through a teenager's eyes. He uses poetry as a tool for positive change in the community and has performed at high schools throughout the NY/NJ area, since 2002. Joel has been featured in the Star Ledger for being one of five finalists for "The Power of the Vote, Spoken Word Competition" sponsored by Russell Simmons. Joel has been highlighted on NJN's "Another View: Spoken Word Café" (March 2005), and in the Herald News (April 2005) for speaking to eighth grade students in Paterson, NJ, about spoken word poetry. Also in April 2005, Joel's poetry landed him a part in the groundbreaking "Respect Yourself" campaign television spot, which won a Rocky Mountain regional Emmy Award for At Large Films.
Since age 14, Joel has been winning youth slams up and down the East Coast. He placed first in the "Let Your Voice Be Heard" Youth Slam in NJ (April 2005), and in OyaXclusive's 2nd annual October"Slam"fest Youth Slam in Norfolk, VA (October 2004). Joel is the 2004 Youth Speaks NY Grand Slam Champion and has appeared on BET 106 & Park's "Do You" segment in March 2004. He is the youngest poet to compete and win a Friday night slam at the world renown Nuyorican Café. His involvement with Youth Speaks, out of New York City, led him to National Teen Poetry Slam in Los Angles, CA (April 2004).
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