Guyana Times’ Mishael Henry cops 1st place in 7th Poetry Slam competition

Guyana Times journalist Mishael Henry delivered a standout performance to secure first place at the latest Poetry Slam Guyana Championship, outshining 10 other competitors in a tightly contested showdown on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Keeping his audience tuned-in throughout his three-minute performance, it was a neck-and-neck battle as some of the country’s most talented poets vied for top prizes in the seventh monthly edition of the Poetry Slam Guyana Championship.
Mishael Henry, who is of deep Guyanese heritage, has been actively promoting spoken word poetry in Guyana for the past two years.
Last month’s edition of the competition took a new direction, featuring a change in venue and the inclusion of comedy as part of the line-up. The event is traditionally hosted on the last Saturday of every month.

According to Henry, as the nation marked one year since the death of Adrianna Younge, he sought to deliver a performance centred on the complex issues surrounding her passing.
The case, which sparked widespread public reaction and national debate, resonated across Guyana last year. Henry explained that his piece addressed the actions of a small minority who, he said, used the moment to incite disorder, including looting and other disruptions across the country.
“I choose to do this piece that is centred around Adrianna Younge to bring remembrance. Coupled with this, I believe that there were a lot of issues happening at that time, where many persons chose the opportunity to loot stores instead of using her passing as a moment for reflection. With my piece, I wanted to delve into the mindset of those persons who did those acts, to foster a sense of change within the minds of people,” he said.
Blending his signature comedic delivery with sharp social commentary, Henry’s performance served as a mirror to the audience, capturing the full scope of public sentiment while raising and confronting difficult questions through a compelling, performative lens.
The Poetry Slam event caters to a limited, intimate audience, creating an atmosphere well-suited for poetry and live performances.
Henry’s journey into the local poetry scene began in early 2024, shortly after his arrival in Guyana. He was introduced to the Guyana National Poetry Slam through a WhatsApp flyer sent by his aunt, inviting poets to submit three-minute videos for the Mashramani competition on topics such as “Guyana: Our Country, Our Home”; mental health; love for humanity; patriotism; youth and social issues; and the elimination of social ills.
Vying for the $200,000 prize, he competed against some of Guyana’s most outstanding voices. Noting several pressing issues in the country that needed to be addressed, Henry found it fitting to write a piece entitled “Guyana Race”.
In fact, only last year, Henry secured the first runner-up position in the National Poetry Slam competition.
This month’s edition took a slightly different direction, with a new location and the inclusion of comedy in the line-up. The show is traditionally hosted on the last Saturday of every month. Last month, it was held on April 25 at a brand-new artistic venue – The Boulevard – located at Giftland Mall.