Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/02/2026
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus
Categories
Philadelphia high school students can connect in person with artists, entrepreneurs, and culture-shapers at the I AM PHL 2026 Contest & Student Summit. They can hear from industry insiders in music, the visual arts, and spoken word through workshops and networking. They can learn how to compete for prizes, including $1,000 in a future creative writing or oral competition, and get information about industry mentorships and professional work headshots from The Grind House. Aligning with the nation’s America250 birthday celebration in 2026, students at the summit who are interested in the contest will be encouraged to submit an original song, poem, spoken word piece, or visual art presentation that shows how Philly’s history connects to their story, voice, and future. An additional $1,000 is up for grabs for contest participants who best share how they would invest the prize money.
The summit will feature music by Grammy- and Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Kristal Oliver. Students can polish up their skills in an open mic showcase hosted by Mic’d Up Philly. They can enjoy a fireside chat with engaging creatives and moderator, Philadelphia City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. The panel includes: Recording artists Jesse Renee; Mani Cunningham, artist-manager; recording artist MCGWN; Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Rashawn Dorsey, and Bryan War, entrepreneur and visual artist. The event will be presented by PhillyGoes2College (powered by the Philadelphia Education Fund) in partnership with Wawa Welcome America. PhillyGoes2College.org is a digital platform for information on planning, applying, and paying for college. Says Emmanuel Sofolawe, Senior Manager for PhillyGoes2College: “We want every student who walks through those doors at the IAMPHL Summit to leave knowing that their creativity has a future here in Philly.”
Free (including breakfast & lunch), advanced registration is required; 11 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus, 3900 Cherry Ln. (Downs Hall). Contest submissions will be due Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and winners will be announced Monday, June 1, 2026. 215-665-1400 or PhillyGoes2College.org/IAMPHL or https://phillygoes2college.org/i-am-philadelphia-contest/