Using his gift for spoken word poetry as a teaching tool, LeDerick Horne has been recognized across the country as a poet, motivational speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities. After graduating with honors from New Jersey City University in 2003 with a BA in Mathematics and a minor in Fine Art, LeDerick released Rhyme Reason and Song (2005), an album of his poetry set to music, and he co-created and performed in New Street Poets, a spoken word play addressing gentrification’s affect on urban culture. The play was first staged in 2005 at the Tony Award winning Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. New Street Poets received great critical acclaim at the New York City International Fringe Festival in 2007, and is currently touring throughout the northeast. LeDerick has facilitated workshops, delivered keynote presentations, and spoken to thousands of students, teachers, and service providers about his experiences. LeDerick Horne’s poetry is available on YouTube, iTunes and you can find more information about him at www.lederick.com.