The Watering Hole Launches Juvenile Justice Program

South Carolina — The Watering Hole is proud to announce the launch of Poetry Battle Royale: Juvenile Justice Initiative, a transformative three-month poetry initiative designed for incarcerated youth ages 14 to 17. An evolution of Poetry Battle Royale, our existing after-school program for youth, this innovative work uses the power of poetry as a tool for emotional expression, healing, and positive action in challenging circumstances.

Led by nationally recognized poetry slam champions Dove Dupree and Azar King, the Initiative offers weekly classes that encourage participants to explore literature, self-reflection, and creative expression. Through these sessions, The Watering Hole aims to provide youth with a constructive outlet to navigate their emotions and experiences.

Dove Dupree, a multi-talented poet and educator, integrates arts and music to inspire and empower young people. Azar King, a Myrtle Beach native and celebrated poet, brings years of performance and teaching experience to the program. Together, they offer mentorship and guidance that extends beyond poetry, fostering resilience and personal growth.

“Poetry is more than words; it’s a blueprint for healing,” said Candace Wiley for The Watering Hole. “Our goal is to create a supportive community where young people can find their voice and transform their stories into strength.”

The Watering Hole’s Juvenile Justice Initiative represents a meaningful expansion of Poetry Battle Royale to address the emotional and social needs of incarcerated youth through creative arts.

About Dove Dupree

Dove Dupree is a poet, musician, actor, youth advocate, business owner, and much more. He started writing raps at the early age of 7.

Just like in his life, his goal in his music and poetry is to impact, inspire, and all the good things in between. He is a teaching artist who goes into schools as an artist in residency and teaches students educational content through arts integration workshops. He incorporates music and rap into the subjects his students are learning to help them creatively retain information and have fun while doing it.

Dove Dupree also leads workshops across the country’s colleges, conferences, churches, and more, while managing to blend spoken word and audience dialogue together on topics such as faith, mental health, and social justice issues.

He has won countless team and individual poetry slams across the country since entering the slam poetry scene in 2014.

In the realm of spoken word, he is a TEDx performer; Greenville, South Carolina’s 4X Say What Grand Slam Champion; featured on Button Poetry, WYFF, and WGGS TV; 2021 Southeastern Regional NC Poetry Slam Champion; 2025 King Of The South Slam Champion; 2X Mayan Industry award winner for best original piece; back-to-back Southern Fried Poetry Slam final stage finalist; 2022 National Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam Runner Up; The 2023 National Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam Winner; The 2024 Southern Fried Poetry Slam Winner; and The 2024 and 2025 King of The South Poetry Slam Winner.

About Azar King

Azar King, originally from Myrtle Beach, SC, now resides in Greenville, SC. He is a P.O.E.T, Poemedian (Poetic Comedy), Artist, writer, National Poet, and most importantly, father.

Azar has been part of the Say What Slam Team for 4 years, which is a nationally ranked team through the Southern Fried Poetry Tournament. Azar is a 4x JUNETEENTH slam winner and has at least ranked in the top 3 in slams that happen locally in his region.

He’s been featured across the country in places such as Dallas, Texas; Raleigh, NC; Fayetteville, NC; Detroit, MI; Atlanta, GA; Greenville, SC; Utah; and more. For Azar, it isn’t just about making money because that’s just a bonus to his whole agenda. It’s about proving to himself that he can be everything that he sets his mind to be, regardless of what hurdles come. He doesn’t just trust the process; he surrenders to it.

Social Media: @azarking3 on Instagram, @Azar King on Facebook, @kingazar315 on TikTok