COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
Who is HBO Def Poet, Will "Da Real One" Bell?
[because it is imperative you know]
“To sum up Will in a nutshell is kind of hard to do. He was a very unique person, tells it like it is, whether you wanted to hear it or not. And he always had your back, 100 strong,” said Coat, who worked with Bell for six years.
“He fought for what was right… I commend anybody who came from his background and literally made something out of nothing. From being a drug dealer to actually helping those who had addictions, to being an Army vet, to being homeless, to seeing him go into elementary schools, go into prisons. To see him pawn damn near every piece of jewelry he had to keep the lights on,” Coat said, becoming overcome with emotion. -Joseph Coates (DJ MIDWID; Make it Do What it Do)
His was a name that was trusted by artists, promoters, and lovers of the arts alike. Thus, the Literary Café was born. In its 9 years of operation, The Literary Café was located in four (4) different spaces within a 2-mile radius of each other in North Miami along 125 street.
DEFINING TERMS
[because poets like clarity and vocabulary]
Revisionist:
/rɪˈvɪʒ.ən.ɪst/:examining and trying to change existing beliefs about how events happened or what their importance or meaning is: revisionist historians.
THE BACKSTORY
[because there's always a backstory]
"Standing outside a Poetry venue one night, I complained to Will about a poem I'd wanted to perform in the Slam but it didn't feel finished... or maybe I did perform it but didn't feel good about the outcome. Either way, Will basically told me I was limiting the work. He made a point about evolving as a writer and my writing evolving with me. In short, a good poem is always in revision." -Calvin madeS.O.N Early
In this competition, participants will re-imagine a poem written by Will "Da Real One". They will spend time with the poem and find their own version of events.
OUR HONOR CODE
Will "Da Real One" Bell Revisionist Poetry Prize
In this competition, participants will re-imagine a poem written by Will "Da Real One". They will spend time with the poem and find their own version of events. One lucky writer will be awarded the $500 grand prize
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OBJECTIVES:
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Sharing the legacy of Wille “Will Da Real One” Bell
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The preservation of local culture
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Increase economic opportunities the arts and literacy
ELIGIBILITY
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Interested participants must:
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Be at least 18 years of age
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Live within Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County (proof of residence required)
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Must be present for judging on April 13, 2023
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Deadline for submissions is 5pm April 4, 2025
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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS [Incomplete submissions may be disqualified]
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Submissions are expected to be a reflection of the original work as told through the diverse perspectives, experiences, values, and beliefs of the submitting participant.
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Submissions must be EXACTLY 125 words.
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Submissions must be in PDF form
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No previously published work may be submitted.
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Work must be original. Any borrowed ideas or language must be appropriately acknowledged.
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Authors must be willing to have their work published under their own names.
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Submissions must pass Google API and address verification as well as plagiarism audit.
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Submission may be written in any poetic style
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Limit one entry per person/per household
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Under no circumstances can alterations be made to poems once submitted.
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Do not double-space.
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At the bottom center of your submission please add the following: Inspired by So I Run” written by: Will “Da Real One” Bell
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Watch poem (video above): “So I Run” Will 'The Real One' Bell So I Run
PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION
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Before you submit
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Confirm your poem is EXACTLY 125 words.
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Make sure the poem is titled at the top, and your name is not on the document
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Make sure your poem is saved as a PDF
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Gather photo proof of residence (State ID, Passport etc)
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Review submissions for grammar, spelling, punctuation, word count
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All entries will receive an automatic confirmation at the time of submission.
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Telephone or email confirmation of receipt is not available. Spoken Word Exchange staff and personnel are unable to confirm the content of documents submitted online, so please ensure you send the correct version. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE PRINTED AND JUDGED AS SUBMITTED.
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JUDGING SETUP & PROCEDURE
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All submissions will be judged in person, via live polling, by attendees of the Poetry Potluck on April 13, 2025.
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Each submission will be printed in large format and displayed gallery style allowing attendees to spend time with each peace and vote intentionally
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Neither the contestants nor Spoken Word Exchange staff are permitted to vote on any submissions.
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No current staff The Spoken Word Exchange is eligible to enter.
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All entries are judged anonymously and the poet’s name must not appear on the poem itself.
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All poems must have a title
WINNERS
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On the night of April 13, 2025, all poems will be judged via live voting by all guests in attendance and 1 winner will be awarded a $500 grand prize.
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All winners will be expected to provide a biography and photograph.
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The copyright of each poem remains with the author. However, authors of the winning poems, by entering the competition, grant The Spoken Word Exchange the right in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast their poem for a year beginning April 13, 2025.