Battle of the Boroughs Teen Poetry Slam,

Kevin Benoit

Empowering the urban community has been a goal for Kevin Benoit for almost–20 years. As a freshman in college, in May of 2004, Benoit created Parlé Magazine, an entertainment magazine spotlighting entertainment and featuring celebrity interviews, but also mindful to keep literacy and the written word at the forefront.  The publication was created to empower, entertain, educate, motivate, and engage Black and Brown lives within the media industry. Black-owned and Black-led, the publication prioritizes BIPOC voices and stories. The magazine continues to this day.

A first generation Haitian American, Kevin graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science in Legal Studies. He also has a Master’s In Business Administration with a focus in media management.

Over the years he has worked at several nonprofit organizations in a variety of roles, all in New York City.  In a quick snap shot he’s worked with formerly incarcerated youth at Police Athletic League; worked with youth with developmental disabilities at Job Path and Hip-Hop 4 Life; and worked with homeless and displaced youth with SCO Family of Services.  He’s run after school programming in high schools with Imani House, and worked with students pursuing careers in media at HarlemLIVE.  Most recently he worked as an administrator at a charter high school in Brooklyn in the role of College and Career Readiness Manager, developing internship partnerships for high school students and spearheading all aspects of transitioning into senior year and making post-secondary plans.