Keynote Speaker: Shawn WelcomeBe Part of an Unforgettable Literary Experience We’re excited and honored to introduce Shawn Welcome as our Keynote Speaker for Florida WritersCon 2026. On Friday Shawn will lead a 2-hour hands-on workshop: Concrete Imagery and the Moonlight. This interactive spoken word poetry workshop demonstrates the power of engaging the five senses in creative writing expression and guides participants through discussion, writing, and sharing poems with each other. Saturday night conference attendees will enjoy an evening of storytelling, connection, and belonging. This keynote event is a mixed media experience consisting of Shawn's keynote address, spoken word performance and Q&A. You'll also be treated to a screening of Welcome, an award-winning short film. In this compelling portrait, Shawn Welcome reflects on the winding path he's taken to becoming Orlando’s first African American poet laureate, the community he’s built along the way, and the incredible power that spoken-word poetry has to change lives. Check The evening will conclude with a booksigning. Director: Justin Whittingham • Producers: Joshua Outing & Justin Whittingham • DP + Colorist: Justin Whittingham About ShawnShawn Welcome is the co-founder of the Literary Arts Council of Central Florida and the former Poet Laureate for the City of Orlando. An award-winning professional speaker and gifted storyteller, Shawn inspires, educates, and entertains audiences around the world. He has traveled extensively to perform, speak, and facilitate writing and performance workshops, dedicating his life to serving others and amplifying the voices of his community. In 2006, he founded Diverse Word, Central Florida’s longest-running open mic, which continues to provide a platform for creative expression nearly two decades later. This keynote isn’t just someone speaking at you. It’s a voice from within this community—someone who understands the journey and reflects it back with honesty, courage, and vision. Learn more about Shawn Welcome on his website. Register Today!
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