SUPPORT THE ARTISTS. KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE.
Spoken Word New York is Nicole's love letter to the poets, performers, and open mic stages that keep New York City's spoken word culture breathing. It is the one-stop destination for NYC's vibrant spoken word community — connecting poetry lovers around the corner, across the country, and around the world to the artists and events that make the culture what it is.
THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Nicole almost did not go. A friend was hosting an open mic night at her restaurant, and Nicole had no plans to perform. She was not a poet — or so she thought. She went to support a friend.
What she walked into changed the trajectory of her life.
She watched poets pour themselves into a microphone. She watched a room full of strangers lean in together and feel something at exactly the same time. She watched an entire community show up — not for fame, not for money — but because the act of sharing a story out loud, in a room full of people willing to listen, was profound.
That night planted the seed for what would become Spoken Word New York: an online platform dedicated to making sure the poets are seen, the stages are full, and the culture is never allowed to go quiet.
That is the mission statement of Spoken Word New York. Six words. No jargon. Just the promise that if you love spoken word poetry, this platform will connect you to the artists, the events, and the stages that keep the culture alive.
EXPLORE THE DIRECTORYWHAT SPOKEN WORD NEW YORK IS
Spoken Word New York is the one-stop destination for information on some of the best and hottest poets and spoken word artists in the New York metropolitan area — and where you can see them performing live.
It is a dedicated online hub for NYC's vibrant spoken word community: connecting poetry lovers around the corner, across the country, or around the world directly to the poets, poetry events, open mics, spoken word showcases, and creative spaces that keep the culture alive.
Nicole's personal role is clear. She is not just a curator. She is a believer. She gets to know the person behind the performance — the artist, not just the persona — because her goal has always been to connect hearts, not build résumés.
Whether you are a poet looking for a stage, a fan looking for your next event, or someone who has never experienced spoken word and is curious about what the fuss is all about — Spoken Word New York is your starting point.
THE MOMENT SHE KNEW
Nicole's favorite memory from the spoken word world is the night she met Miguel Algarin — the founder of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, one of the most legendary poetry venues in the world.
She told him the truth: that she had no talent for poetry. That she was just a supporter. That she came to listen, not to perform.
His response changed her: your presence is needed and most important for the artists.
That was the moment Nicole understood that supporting the arts was not a hobby — it was a calling. That the people who show up to listen are just as essential as the people who step up to the microphone. And that creating a platform to shine a light on those artists was not optional. It was a must.
Spoken Word New York exists because of that conversation.
KEEPING THE CULTURE ALIVE
A snapshot of the community Spoken Word New York serves.
HOW SHE SUPPORTS THE ARTISTS
Nicole's approach to supporting the spoken word arts is personal and deliberate. She does not just promote performances — she gets to know the people behind them.
She always tries to learn about the artist — the person, not just the performer. Her goal is to tell others about who they are, not just what they do. She believes that connecting audiences to the human being behind the microphone creates a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the art itself.
Her philosophy extends across both of her platforms. At nicolesross.com, visitors see a woman who loves people and wants to share the beauty she finds in the world. At SpokenWordNewYork.com, they find the same love channeled into a dedicated community resource that keeps the culture visible and accessible.
The common thread that connects her personal poetry and writing to the poets she promotes is simple: she wants to connect hearts.
THE WORLD OF SPOKEN WORD
The stage is where stories come alive
The listeners are just as essential as the performers
Every performance starts on a page
The stages that keep the culture breathing
Community happens after the last poem
A spot on the list. A story waiting to be told.
YOUR PRESENCE IS NEEDED AND MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE ARTISTS.
Those are the words Miguel Algarin, founder of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, said to Nicole. She has never forgotten them. Whether you are a poet, a listener, or someone who has never been to an open mic before — you belong in this community.
CHECK OUT THE EVENTS
STAY CONNECTED TO THE CULTURE
Spoken word spotlights, event announcements, artist stories, and updates from Nicole's world — all delivered once or twice a month. If you love the art of the spoken word, this is your signal.