Politics. On Point.

You're a poet, and you know it. You know you’re a bonafied poet when you’re invited to the White House to recite your work in front of the First Lady of the United States and your peers. First Lady Michelle Obama recognizes the 2016 Class of National Student Poet with poetic snaps. (Photo/CD Brown). The 2016 class of the National Student Poets Program (NSPP) bought their imagery of the world, culture and poetic stylings to the White House Thursday were they were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama was noticeably brought to tears as she reflected on the brilliance of this year’s ‘Poetic Five’. “If you ever wonder if what we do makes a difference, it does", she said.  This year’s class consisted of a diverse group of tenth and eleven graders representing the mid, south, north, and western regions of the United States. WATCH Alumni: 2015 Class of National Student Poets Maya Eashwaran of Georgia reflected in her poem, Linquistics , ...

First Lady Michelle Obama , the honorary chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), will speak about the importance of after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities education by hosting the PCAH ’s National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards – the country’s highest honor in this field. The awards focus national attention on exemplary programs currently fostering the creative and intellectual development of America’s youth through education, and practical experience in the arts and the humanities. On Monday, awards will be given to 12 successful programs across the country that reach underserved youth. In addition to the First Lady’s and PCAH members’ involvement, the ceremony will also include PCAH cultural agency partners: the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and will be complemented by select performances from awardees. The event...

Yesterday at the White House, media and students from around the country were treated to a workshop and forum on Motown Legends as part of the White House's celebration of Black History Month . In attendance:  Smokey Robinson, Motown founder Barry Gordy, and artist John Legend.  Mrs. Obama speaks to high school students during Motown student workshop. The event was not only an oral history lesson for the students, but for the media as well.  Where else could you learn that Smokey Robinson credits shows like American Idol for helping today's talented individuals live their dreams?  "When I was starting out, we didn't have that.  Thankfully, I had Berry Gordy", said Robinson.  "He was a man that I could trust." Gordy, who created Motown because he "wanted to be heard, wanted to make money, and wanted to get girls", created his empire with a $800 loan from family members that helped catapult the universally indelible Motown sound....

If it's October, it's a celebration of Arts and Humanities in Washington, D.C.  Where better to celebrate than at the White House with First Lady Michelle Obama (the honorary chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities )? In the East Room of the White House artist awards were presented to the following after school programs from across the country: After-School Playwriting Program /Young Playwrights’ Theater, Inc./Washington, D.C.; Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program (BCAP)/Heart of Brooklyn Cultural Institutions, Inc./Brooklyn, N.Y.; Center for Community Arts Partnerships /Community Schools Initiative/Columbia College Chicago/Chicago, Ill.; Community MusicWorks /Providence, R.I.; FACT After–School Programs /Fine Arts for Children and Teens, Inc./Santa, Fe, N.M.; Girlstories Theatre Project and Workshops/Powerstories Theatre, Inc./Tampa, Fla.; New Directions YouthArts/ City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs/Las Vegas, Nev./ Proj...