Young Voices Ignite the Conversation About Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation at Ignite Your Mic for LIFE Poetry Slam
Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 8, 2025 – Legacy Donor Services Foundation (LDSF), in collaboration with Blue Apple Poetry and the Jason Taylor Foundation, hosted the 2nd Annual 2025 Ignite Your Mic for Life Poetry Slam at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center(AARLCC) on November 8. The statewide competition designed to engage young poets in raising awareness about the life-saving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation is open to students in grades 7 through 12 enrolled in Florida schools. The competition invited participants to submit original poems inspired by the Donate Life message. The initiative was created to encourage meaningful conversations among younger audiences while providing a creative platform for self-expression.
From submissions received across the state, ten finalists were selected to perform their original poems on Saturday evening at the AARLCC Broward County Library. Following their performances, five finalists advanced to the championship round, where they delivered a second poem on a topic of their choosing, showcasing both their artistry and spoken-word talents.
Winners were awarded cash prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize for first place.
Congratulations to the 2025 Ignite Your Mic for Life winners:
- First Place: Nathaniel Occean
- Second Place: Angel Jiang
- Third Place: Jamare Clarington
- Youngest Finalist Award: Zoë Martinez
The competition was judged by a panel that included media personality, a donor husband, a donor daughter, a heart and tissue recipient, and a south Florida Donor Program representative, whose personal experiences brought meaningful perspective to the event.
Throughout the evening, attendees experienced powerful performances that highlighted themes of hope, generosity, healing and legacy.