Express to Speak (E2S) was conceptualized by founder Tahj Kjelland in 2006 through the community event “A Rising Nation” in Wolf Point on the Fort Peck Sioux Assiniboine Indian Reservation.  “A Rising Nation” was an in-school Hip – Hop program aimed at engaging students in the art of  self expression through education and application of the arts of the four elements of Hip Hop Music.

Tahj’s gifted teaching style and skilled passion for Hip-Hop powerfully resonated with the students, administrators and community leaders. Express to Speak was born.

Since 2006, Tahj has facilitated spoken word poetry workshops and recorded original music with thousands of young artists across Montana. Through generous support from the MT Office of Public Instruction and Humanities Montana, E2S has developed its programming and deepened its foundation to include evidence based social work theory and practice.

Using spoken word, poetry, creative writing, self-expression, dialogue and dynamic performance, E2S provides the tools for youth to express themselves using their own words. Participants find, ignite, and reinforce their passion for life and they apply their E2S experience to their education, artistry and future dreams.