Grantee-Partner Profile

Meet Our Grantee-Partner: The Diatribe

Originally Published: October 06, 2023
A young, smiling, Brown-skinned student with black hair reading their spoken word piece in a classroom, with Youth Experience Expert Kyd Kane and teaching artist Caleb Rainey and the student's teacher standing in the background

Photo courtesy of the Diatribe

Mission: The Diatribe uses restorative art to disrupt historical systems of oppression by reimagining education, holistically honoring the community through our approach to our work, and creating an unapologetic vision for liberation that is accessible to all.

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Diatribe uses spoken word, poetry, and visual arts events, programs, and multimedia platforms to encourage its community to shed light on issues that affect vulnerable populations. Black, Brown, and queer-led, the Diatribe’s teaching artists work to empower the community to tackle societal issues by harnessing the power of vulnerability. The Diatribe shares its commitment to radical imagination and art activism by providing school programming, free downloadable courses, and forming community partnerships.

Poetry is central to the educational work of the Diatribe and is used to translate complex topics such as racism, justice, and liberation through an artistic lens. The in-school Poetry Empowered program uses poetry and spoken word to encourage students to explore mental health topics and intersectional identities. By guiding students to use poetry as a vessel for their lived experiences, the Diatribe centers its role in creating the blueprint for a collective future. 

A young student smirking, with light brown skin and dark red hair reading their spoken word poetry in the classroom next to teaching artist Caleb Rainey.

Photo courtesy of the Diatribe.

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“In my school, the way that the Diatribe introduced us to spoken word and, to a larger extent, the way they brought in QTPOC poets, and art as a form of liberation, created a light in me that shined every time I opened up my journal to write. I knew I wanted to be a part of sharing that same light in more area youth, which led me to start my work at the
Diatribe.”
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— Siena Ramirez, former Diatribe student and current Diatribe communications lead

The Diatribe believes in creating safe spaces for community members to express themselves artistically. The 49507 Project, named after the local zip code, is a community reclamation initiative that commissions artists to design high-quality public art. Following listening sessions with over 300 neighbors and 150 students, the 49507 Project installed 15 murals from 2021-22. Student poets had the opportunity to share their work at each mural unveiling.

A group of Black and Brown folks and young people standing in front of a colorful mural done by local artist Alynn Guerra of Red Hydrant Press.

The 49507 Project. Photo courtesy of the Diatribe.

Receiving a $65,000 Equity in Verse grant has helped the Diatribe move forward with plans to open the Emory Arts and Culture Hub in the heart of the southeast side of Grand Rapids. The Emory will serve as the Diatribe’s home, allowing it to expand and enhance youth programming offerings and provide accessible resources for community members to create culturally relevant experiences. Demonstrating the Diatribe’s commitment to authentic placemaking that benefits the neighborhood's residents, the hub will include a flexible classroom space, a 110-seat venue, eight residential units, and four retail spaces. The goal of the hub is to serve as a model for redevelopment that prioritizes inclusive community and economic growth, potentially influencing similar work in communities across the country.

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