News 12 visited Yonkers Arts for its new gallery entitled "Youth Meet & Poetry Showcase: Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy Through Creative Expression" on Friday.

The showcase honors the legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The exhibit opened Jan. 15 on what would have been King's 97th birthday.

"There's been a lot of injustices since he's passed, and I think that the youth being involved in this poetry exhibition gives them a voice," said executive director Evan Bishop with Yonkers Arts.

There were 100 total applicants all ranging from sixth to 12th grade.

Dr. Dwanita Crosby, alongside Mayor Mike Spano and community partners, helped to create the event. Her son Adonis has his poem in the gallery entitled "The Battle.

The poem dives into segregation and King's journey through the lens of a sixth grader.

For Yonkers Arts executive director Evan Bishop, the gallery gave students the opportunity to honor the civil rights leader in their own, unique way.

"Any movement that changes things comes from youth, and it's important for the youth to understand that they have a power. They have their voice, they have their presence and they have ideas that need to be heard," said Bishop.