🌟 Culture Voices: Empower, Express, Elevate
🎒 A Teen-Led Afterschool Program for Ages 15–18
🎤 Own Your Story. Amplify Your Culture. Spark Change.
High schoolers are ready to step up—not just to learn about culture but to live it, shape it, and lead conversations that matter. Culture Voices is a bold, creative space where teens dive into the complexities of identity, heritage, and social justice—then channel their passions into projects that celebrate diversity and challenge inequity.
🧭 How It Works
Culture Voices blends reflection, dialogue, and action through:
🔎 Exploration & Analysis: Critically examine cultural identity, media portrayals, and social narratives shaping perceptions.
🎨 Creative Expression: Use writing, digital storytelling, visual arts, music, and performance to explore and express culture.
💬 Courageous Conversations: Practice facilitating and participating in honest, respectful discussions about race, ethnicity, gender, and intersectionality.
📢 Youth-Led Action: Design campaigns, events, or community projects that promote cultural understanding and equity.
🤝 Networking & Mentorship: Connect with cultural leaders, activists, and creatives for guidance and inspiration.
🛠️ Sample Projects + Initiatives
Teens choose projects that resonate, such as:
🎬 Short Film & Media Production: Produce videos highlighting cultural stories, challenges, or celebrations.
🎤 Open Mic & Spoken Word Nights: Organize events showcasing original poetry, music, or performances centered on identity and social justice.
📱 Social Media Campaigns: Create digital campaigns to raise awareness about cultural pride and anti-discrimination efforts.
🎨 Collaborative Public Art: Lead mural projects or installations that tell powerful cultural stories in their communities.
🗣️ Facilitation & Workshops: Train peers in dialogue skills for respectful conversations about diversity and inclusion.
🎉 Culture Voices Showcase
The program culminates in a vibrant Culture Voices Showcase, featuring:
🎤 Live performances, film screenings, and art exhibitions
🤝 Panel discussions and peer-led workshops
🏅 Recognition ceremonies celebrating teen leadership and creativity
🌐 Opportunities to connect with local organizations and activists
A platform to celebrate culture and ignite community change.
🎁 Culture Voices Toolkit
Participants receive a toolkit including:
📚 Curated readings and resources on cultural identity and social justice
🎨 Art supplies and digital media access for creative projects
📢 Campaign planning templates and communication guides
🌟 Access to mentorship, internships, and leadership networks
📝 Portfolio and resume support for college and career
🌟 What Teens Gain
🧠 Critical Awareness: Insight into cultural complexities and social systems.
🎤 Bold Leadership: Skills to inspire, organize, and lead change.
🎨 Creative Confidence: Ability to tell stories that matter and move people.
🤝 Inclusive Mindset: Empathy and courage to engage in difficult dialogues.
🌍 Community Impact: Tools to create meaningful, lasting cultural change.
✨ Because Culture Is Power—and Teens Are the Future
Culture Voices empowers young leaders to claim their stories, challenge injustice, and uplift diverse voices through creativity and courage.
🌎 Their heritage.
🎙️ Their story.
🔥 Their movement.
Let’s amplify the culture and ignite change!