In this inspiring speech, Denny JA, the founder of essay poetry, emphasizes the vital role of the Essay Poetry Festival in cultivating a vibrant community of writers and readers. He discusses the festival’s purpose as a vehicle for sharing impactful stories that reflect social issues and human experiences. draws inspiration from the book Faith-Based Marketing by Bob Hutchkins and Greg Stielstra, which explores how religious traditions can foster community and resilience. He emphasizes the concept of holidays as essential gatherings that strengthen connections among people. By applying this insight to the Essay Poetry Festival, Denny envisions it as a “religious” holiday for the essay poetry community—an annual celebration that encourages sharing, storytelling, and regeneration.