A group of 617Peak students pose for a photo in 2022.AARON COOLEY/BIO PRODUCTIONS

(Adri Pray)

This Friday, Boston-based 617Peak, an arts nonprofit dedicated to helping area youth “find their voice,” will host its sixth annual Open Mic at Hibernian Hall. The event will feature original poetry, rap, and song performances by 25 students from high schools and colleges across Greater Boston.

Under the direction of founder Ikenna Ndugba, 617Peak’s students are encouraged to participate in workshops, studio sessions, and retreats to hone their storytelling and writing skills throughout the year. Participation is free and requires no formal sign-up or school sponsorship; students are welcome to attend any event or reach out to Ndugba to get involved.

Read the entire article as it originally appeared in The Boston Globe here.