Words on the Street

Words on the Street Stories

Stories by the winners of the 2010-2011 Words on the Street writing competition, as published in the Pulitzer Prize winning Philadelphia Daily News. Click now to read Brittany Spicer’s winning story.

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Words on the Street Literacy Program

Teaming students, parents and schools with a bestselling author and major national partners, Words on the Street is a life-changing writing and literacy program.

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Words on the Street Workshops

Taught by an eight-time novelist and former college writing professor, our workshops feature intense instruction and quantifiable results.

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Words on the Street Awards

Our program engages students at every phase, rewarding hard work and creativity with media recognition, awards, and the opportunity to be published.

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Words on the Street Partners

Words on the Street partners include the Knight Foundation’s Black Male Engagement movement, Verizon, Art Sanctuary, Clear Channel Radio, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Minotaur Books and Parent University.

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Words On The Street Featured on CBS3

Feb 11, 2011 No Comments ›› june.wilson

CBS3 ran a story on Words On The Street on their 4 o’ clock newscast. Watch it below!

Words on the Street launches third year!

Sep 11, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Words on the Street 2012 hosts a red carpet book premiere at Prince Music Theater. Join Solomon Jones and celebrity guests for food, fun, film and more. Click for tickets.

Words on the Street on Fox 29

Sep 6, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Words on the Street was featured on Fox 29. Watch the in-depth interview, which lays out the literacy challenges faced by Philadelphia and other large school districts, how literacy and the drop-out rate are linked, and how Words on the Street is addressing the problem.

Words on the Street on KYW Newsradio

Sep 6, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Words on the Street has twice been featured on Philadelphia CBS radio affiliate KYW Newsradio. Click to read a story transcript.

Parent U. Hosts Our Workshops

Sep 6, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Words on the Street is able to effectively reach parents through its partnership with Parent University, a national model whose primary goal is to provide parents with evidence-based knowledge, skills and resources to support their children’s education and increase student achievement. Each participating parent received a free book and two free writing workshops with Solomon …

Words Winner Tapes Radio Commercial

Sep 6, 2012 Comments Off Solomon

Words on the Street winner Brittany Spicer, who graduated from Mastery Charter/Shoemaker Campus in 2012, and is now studying writing at Susquehanna University, recorded a radio commercial for the Words on the Street program in May. Spicer, who participated in the Words on the Street program in each of its first two years, had her story published in …

Knight Arts Covers Words Awards

Sep 6, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Chip Schwartz of the Knight Arts Blog covered the 2012 Words on the Street awards ceremony. Students and parents from six schools were honored. Teachers, administrators and Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison joined the celebration. The students who wrote the top six stories received cash awards, and one student received a $250 scholarship from local …

Power 99 FM Radio Interviews

Sep 5, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Four Words on the Street winners were interviewed by Clear Channel News and Public Affairs Director Loraine Ballard Morrill at the Bala Cynwyd studios of Power 99 FM. They were: Anibal Velez of Fels High School, Ahkeel Timothy of Mastery Charter/Shoemaker Campus, Brittany Spicer of Mastery Charter/Shoemaker Campus, and Chaya Cleveland of Randolph High School. Each …

Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison speaks at Words on the Street awards ceremony.

Words on the Street is choosing schools for 2012

Sep 2, 2012 No Comments ›› Solomon

Words on the Street is currently choosing schools for the 2012 program. In order to be considered for 2012, schools must provide an administrator or teacher to act as a liaison to the program. That liaison will work directly with Solomon Jones to determine the workshop schedule, story deadlines, and winning stories. Schools considering adding the program …

Daily News Article

Apr 30, 2012 No Comments ›› june.wilson Continue Reading

Fels Workshops Finish Well

Apr 27, 2012 No Comments ›› june.wilson

Finished my Words on the Street workshops at Fels. Talented kids, strong teacher support. Enjoyed working with them!

Solomon Jones is an inspiring instructive treasure. Everyone who has the opportunity to attend this Author’s workshops, will be motivated. This Brother is about what many of our community need to be committed and concerned, intellectual growth. With the infusion of the correct information personal development is infinite. Thanks again Solomon Jones. Keep it Real! Clayton Edmund Johnson, School District Parent, Workshop ParticipantParent University
I didn’t really think of myself as a writer, but I am inspired to spend more time in writing and reading stories. I really appreciated the opportunity to share my writing in this program. I feel really positive about my writing ability and would like to write a book of my own one day. Shakira Hill, JuniorSouth Philadelphia High School
To our delight, Mr. Jones developed a comprehensive curriculum to be utilized in conjunction with the reading/teaching of the novel. The multi-tiered curriculum provided a plethora of information regarding the novel including but not limited to: a synopsis of each chapter, character analysis, vocabulary, discussion questions, and background information. Mr. Jones agreed to host a Professional Development workshop for our staff where he addressed questions and even a few concerns teachers may have had in preparation for the reading of the novel. Carol Denise Rhodes, Assistant PrincipalFitzsimons Young Men’s Leadership Academy
The program was very helpful. When my father made copies of my story in the Daily News, his coworkers began to ask me when the next part was coming out. The program improved my ability to write a story that’s good enough to be read by everyone. I learned about the process of writing a story and figuring out who I want to read it. It helped me to be able to organize my ideas so that on paper it isn’t just a jumble of words. I really enjoyed the program. It helped me to translate my stories from just ideas to something more. Brittany Spicer, JuniorMastery Charter/Shoemaker Campus

Words on the Street Stories

Words on the Street Literacy Program

Words on the Street Workshops

Words on the Street Awards

Words on the Street Partners

Words On The Street Featured on CBS3

Words on the Street launches third year!

Words on the Street on Fox 29

Words on the Street on KYW Newsradio

Parent U. Hosts Our Workshops

Words Winner Tapes Radio Commercial

Knight Arts Covers Words Awards

Power 99 FM Radio Interviews

Words on the Street is choosing schools for 2012

Daily News Article

Fels Workshops Finish Well

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Our Partners

Click here to learn more about the partners whose generous support makes Words on the Street possible.