Sarah Kay

Sarah Kay – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life, work, and inspiring words of Sarah Kay: educator, spoken-word poet, and founder of Project V.O.I.C.E. Explore her biography, philosophy, legacy, and best quotes.

Introduction

Sarah Kay is one of the most compelling voices in contemporary poetry, known particularly for her emotionally resonant spoken-word performances and her dedication to using poetry as a tool for education and empowerment. As both educator and artist, she bridges the worlds of classroom and stage, helping others find their voices through storytelling. Today, her work continues to inspire new generations of writers and thinkers around the world.

Early Life and Family

Sarah Kay was born on June 19, 1988 in New York City.

From an early age, Kay was exposed to stories, words, and culture in all their richness. Her mother’s and father’s backgrounds offered a multiplicity of perspectives — an influence one can see in her later poems that explore identity, belonging, and home.

Youth and Education

Sarah’s journey into spoken-word poetry began in her early teens. At around age 14, she began performing at the Bowery Poetry Club in Manhattan’s East Village; shortly thereafter she joined their Slam Team. National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas.

Her academic path is equally impressive. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Grinnell College. Kay’s formal training in pedagogy, combined with her art, enabled her to envision poetry not merely as performance but as a mode of learning and connection.

Career and Achievements

Spoken Word and Performance

Sarah Kay’s reputation as a spoken-word artist grew quickly. She has performed in distinguished venues such as Lincoln Center and Tribeca Film Festival, and even at the United Nations, where her poetry was featured during the launch of the 2004 World Youth Report. Def Poetry Jam.

One of her breakout public moments came in 2011, when she delivered her poem “If I Should Have a Daughter…” at the TED conference, earning a wide audience and acclaim. How Many Lives Can You Live.

Her poetry is grounded in narrative, metaphor, and vivid imagery. She often weaves together personal reflections, family dynamics, and social observation — making her work accessible and deeply human.

Project V.O.I.C.E.

In 2004, long before she gained global recognition, Sarah Kay co-founded Project V.O.I.C.E. (Vocal Outreach Into Creative Expression). Phil Kaye.

Through workshops, performances, and residencies, Project V.O.I.C.E. has helped students worldwide see poetry as a living language, not something distant or elitist.

Published Works

Though her artistry is often performed, Sarah has published several notable collections:

• B (2011) — the poem If I Should Have a Daughter… is central.

• No Matter the Wreckage (2014) — a collection compiling her work from her first decade.

• The Type (2016) — an illustrated adaptation of her poem “The Type.”

• All Our Wild Wonder (2018) — a tribute to education and wonder, with illustrations.

• A Little Daylight Left (forthcoming 2025) — a new collection chronicling her evolving poetic voice and her reflections on what poetry is for.

Moreover, she has contributed regularly to The Paris Review, writing a weekly column called “Poetry Rx.”

Recognition & Residencies

• In 2017, she was Artist in Residence at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.

• Her work has been featured in major media, and her performances have reached audiences across six continents.

Historical Milestones & Context

Sarah Kay belongs to a generation that bridges the literary and digital worlds. Though rooted in the tradition of slam poetry (which emerged in the late 20th century), she leverages online platforms, TED, social media, and youth education initiatives to amplify her work. In the past two decades, spoken word has become more recognized not just as performance but as a pedagogical tool — and Sarah has played a role in that shift.

Her career parallels broader cultural changes: rising interest in performative literature, increasing emphasis on authentic voices (especially from marginalized or hybrid backgrounds), and the integration of art into education. She represents a new model of the poet — not only creator but community builder, teacher, and translator between worlds.

Legacy and Influence

Though still relatively young, Sarah Kay’s impact is already substantial. Her legacy lies in:

• Amplifying voices: many students discover poetry through her workshops and performances.

• Redefining poetry’s reach: making poetry accessible, live, and participatory rather than distant and archival.

• Educational innovation: blending art and instruction, she demonstrates that poetry can be part of everyday learning, reflection, and healing.

• Mentorship and community: through Project V.O.I.C.E., she has cultivated networks of writers, educators, and performers worldwide.

In years to come, her writings and the communities she’s nurtured will carry forward, inspiring more to tell their stories.

Personality and Talents

Sarah Kay is often described as warm, introspective, courageous, and grounded in curiosity. Her talents go beyond writing: she is a gifted performer, an empathetic educator, and a storyteller who listens as much as she speaks.

Her creative process involves wrestling with what she doesn’t yet understand. She frequently writes “to figure things out” — poetry is a way of thinking aloud.

Kay’s strength as a performer stems from her ability to create intimacy — making audiences feel seen, heard, and implicated in the stories she tells.

Famous Quotes of Sarah Kay

Here is a curated selection of powerful and beloved quotes by Sarah Kay:

1. “If I should have a daughter… Instead of ‘Mom,’ she's gonna call me ‘Point B,’ because that way she knows that no matter what happens, at least she can always find her way to me.”

2. “Life will hit you hard in the face, wait for you to get back up just so it can kick you in the stomach. But getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.”

3. “No matter your wreckage. There will be someone to find you beautiful, despite the cruddy metal. Your ruin is not to be hidden behind paint and canvas. Let them see the cracks.”

4. “Hands learn more than minds do, hands learn how to hold other hands.”

5. “It is equally important to listen as it is to speak.”

6. “This world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily but don’t be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it.”

7. “Not all poetry wants to be storytelling. And not all storytelling wants to be poetry. But great storytellers and great poets share something in common: They had something to say, and did.”

8. “I write poems to figure things out.”

These quotes reflect her belief in vulnerability, resilience, and the transformative power of language.

Lessons from Sarah Kay

From Sarah Kay’s life and work, readers and aspiring creators can draw many lessons:

• Speak your truth, even when it trembles. Poetry can be a way of stepping into vulnerability and sharing what matters.

• Revision is part of creation. Great art often arises through iteration, editing, rewriting, and openness to growth.

• Listen deeply. Storytelling is not just about speaking — it’s about making space for others’ stories.

• Art belongs in education. Creativity enriches learning; integrating poetry into schools can heal, inspire, and open new pathways.

• Community matters. Building supportive networks amplifies voices, sustains practice, and makes art collaborative rather than solitary.

• Your wreckage does not define you. Growth often emerges from fractures, darkness, and struggle — even those cracks can become places of connection and beauty.

Conclusion

Sarah Kay is a model of what it means to be an artist and educator in the 21st century. She doesn’t just write; she teaches, listens, performs, and builds bridges between people and ideas. Her legacy is still growing — in every student she inspires, every poem she shares, and every voice she helps raise.

If you’d like, I can also help you collect 50 of Sarah Kay’s best quotes with context, or analyze one of her poems in depth. Would you like me to do that next?