PYPM director Greg Corbin called it "the anti-flash mob movement."
"These are young people who are doing something positive,'' Corbin said. "They come out every Saturday to workshop, they work so hard, and they have something to say. They are determined to make themselves better poets, and better people, and I think rather than focus on the negative things you see every day, this is something that we need to celebrate."
The Movement is preparing for the national finals in the Brave New Voices Slam in Los Angeles. The Philadelphia team will be represented by PYPM poets Kavi Ade, Sinnea Douglas, Jamillah Harris, Anwar Jabari, Yusef Kromah and Ceez Live.
The Movement is in its fifth year, and in addition to hosting competitions and performing in showcases around the country, holds free poetry workshops in the city every Saturday for teens.
The evening ended with an impromptu performance by the mayor, who did an original poem titled "A Letter to the Youth."
"You are the foundation for a brighter tomorrow
Born with the sun inside your spine
You have no choice but to stand tall in your shine
You are the foundation for a brighter tomorrow
So now is the time
To reach for your greatness
Follow your dreams
And speak your mind
We know you've always had something important to say
We are here to keep our ears open
Ready to listen, listen, listen
Because you are the foundation for a brighter tomorrow"