Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Event Recap.

We gathered on October 24th for an inspiring town hall where imagination meets intention in designing physical buildings and cultural spaces for the next generation.  We explored how young people impactfully shape the design of their environments through involvement in local community development initiatives and placemaking in their organizations. Discussion focused on how CYD programs, alongside their aligned community partners, create safe and vibrant spaces that cultivate creativity and growth.

Watch this short video to dive deeper into our theme.

The session included research, youth perspectives, expert panel discussion, and interactive breakout rooms designed to foster active engagement and collaborative learning.

About the Panelists:

• Diana Chao, a first-generation Buyi Chinese-American, founded Letters to Strangers (L2S) at 14 after bipolar disorder and a blinding eye condition nearly ended her life. By beginning to heal through letters, she discovered that writing is humanity distilled into ink. L2S is now the largest global youth-led mental health nonprofit, exchanging over 60,000 letters and reaching half a million people across 70+ countries. The organization published the world’s first youth-for-youth mental health guidebook, taught in schools worldwide, and operates a 24/7 pan-African mental health hotline. Diana, a Princeton graduate and Oxford MBA, has been honored by two U.S. Presidents and recognized with the Princess Diana Legacy Award and L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth.

• Danielle Denk is the National Community Schoolyards® Initiative Director at Trust for Public Land, where she champions the Schoolyard Movement to ensure outdoor access for all. Over 13 years at TPL, she has collaborated with school district leaders, teachers, students, and community members to transform asphalt schoolyards into healthy climate-resilient hubs for learning. With 25+ years’ of experience in public space design, community organizing,  education, and planning, Danielle believes schools and students should be at the center of climate action. She holds degrees in architecture and urban design from Kent State University and a master’s in landscape architecture from The University of Pennsylvania.

• Felipe Franco is a Senior Fellow at The Annie E. Casey Center for System Innovation, focusing on cross-system practices for young adults in the justice system. He works to implement developmentally appropriate approaches for youth aged 18-25. Previously, as Deputy Commissioner for New York City’s Division of Youth and Family Justice, he helped reduce youth detention and placement by over 45% and 65%, respectively, and led the transfer of 16- and 17-year-olds from Riker’s Island to the juvenile system. Felipe also oversaw juvenile justice reforms in New York State, closing 26 youth prisons. He serves on the NYC Board of Corrections and other youth-focused organizations.

• Tareake Dorill is the Founder and CEO of Dorill Initiative, a grassroots arts education nonprofit committed to helping at-promise youth tap into their potential and creative power to ignite social change.  With the help of his team, he has successfully launched and managed programs and partnerships that annually serve over 300 young citizen artists in the Lower East Side, NYC, where he was born and raised. Tareake holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He participates in leadership programs with Coro Leadership New York and NYFA, and has served as Board Chair of Manhattan Community Board 3. He believes in using arts and education for positive change.

• Natasha DeChambeau (Host) is local to Providence and was raised in a bright Caribbean family, the middle of five kids. Programs like CityArts! and Community MusicWorks were second homes for her. She holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from Brown University and an M.A. in Cello Performance from the University of Rhode Island. Natasha seeks the full integration of her creative interests and her desire to be part of a space that values the humanity of each person. Organizations like AppleHill Center for Chamber Music, Sphinx Performance Academy, and Cellísimo have inspired her to nurture this part of herself within the world of classical music. As an alumna of Community MusicWorks, Natasha used music as a tool for social justice.

In collaboration with Community MusicWorks, Trust for Public Land, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Letters to Strangers, and Dorll Initiative.

This discussion is designed for CYD practitioners, youth leaders, funders, and advocates eager to learn how youth voices can activate transformative change. We’ll discuss supportive strategies for building and maintaining impactful spaces for youth to thrive. Together, we can build a collaborative space that values and advances the contributions of young people.

Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Event Recap.

On September 26th, we gathered for a dynamic town hall exploring how the energy, creativity, and voices of young people are shaping the future.

This event will highlight how today’s youth lead transformative movements and drive innovative solutions to pressing issues, including the importance of participating in democracy. Through engaging discussions and inspiring presentations, discover how young leaders are actively pioneering new directions for our communities through youth-led creativity and advocacy.

About the Panelists:

• Carolyn DeWitt is the President and Executive Director of Rock the Vote, the largest organization focused on building political power among diverse youth. Under her leadership, Rock the Vote has expanded partnerships with brands like VEVO and HBO, developed cutting-edge civic tech tools, and deepened its commitment to voting rights. A nationally recognized advocate for young people, Carolyn’s work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Teen Vogue. Through innovative programs and authentic messaging, she ensures young voters understand and use their political power.

• Marley Dias, a 19-year-old changemaker and the youngest person on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, is the creator of the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, which has collected over 14,000 books featuring Black female protagonists. A junior at Harvard University, Marley is also the host and executive producer of Netflix’s Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. As the National Educational Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Ambassador, she continues to advocate for literacy and equity. Marley leads a Black art collective, empowering young artists, and remains a powerful voice for justice and education.

• Mónica Córdova is the Executive Director of the Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing, dedicated to empowering BIPOC youth and advancing social transformation. With nearly a decade of experience as a youth organizer and Co-Director at the SouthWest Organizing Project in New Mexico, Mónica now bridges philanthropic leaders and social justice organizers to provide young people with the resources needed for a just society. She serves on the boards of the Neighborhood Funders Group and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center and is a proud Chicana and professional coach.

• Love Eden is a rising senior at DuPont Manual’s YPAS, studying musical theater. Passionate about advocacy, she uses performance to raise awareness and drive change in her community. Active in the creative youth development organization Hip Hop into Learning (HHN2L) with The Real Young Prodigies, Love has engaged with Kentucky legislators and represented youth issues at Columbia University. She believes strongly in youth activism, saying, “Youth deserve their future.”

In partnership with HHN2L: Hip Hop Into Learning, Rock the Vote, and Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing.

Who should attend:

This discussion is designed for CYD practitioners, youth leaders, funders, and advocates eager to learn how youth voices can spark systems change. We’ll discuss supportive strategies for youth leadership and explore how to support and nurture youth-led initiatives effectively. Together, we can build a collaborative space that values and advances the contributions of young people.

Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Event Recap.

We gathered to discuss the transformative role of Creative Youth Development (CYD) in equipping young entrepreneurs for career success. Entrepreneurship brings innovation and adaptability to CYD, transforming how we shape vocational pathways for young individuals. This integration fosters a wholistic approach to personal and professional growth. We explored topics such as encouraging young people to think beyond traditional job roles, empowering youth to take charge of their careers, and preparing them to evolve in response to new opportunities..

The Lewis Prize for Music shared entrepreneurship resources and data from their Producing Well-Being report, providing insights into how entrepreneurship intersects with CYD.

Young entrepreneurs shared their perspectives on the crucial role of entrepreneurship in their accomplishments and future careers. They discussed the programs they accessed and the resources available for other emerging entrepreneurs, along with their personal journeys in the world of entrepreneurship.

The session then moved into interactive breakout rooms, allowing for a deeper exchange of ideas among all participants.

Our Expert Panelists:

• Anj Fayemi is the co-founder and CEO of Rivet, an AI-driven platform that helps artists and creator teams understand their fans and boost engagement. Rivet has won 1871’s Industry Disrupter Award and was named a Top 14 Creator Company by Business Insider. Anj studied engineering at MIT and Imperial College, with a minor in Theatre Arts, and is an active musician who has opened for Grammy-nominated 6lack. A Nigerian from a family of artists, he founded Rivet to solve the challenges he faced as a creator. Anj has worked at Blackrock and has been featured in Business Insider, Pitchbook, and BuiltIn.

• Victoria Standoak is a musician from Seattle, WA who began her career at 17 with The Bridge Music Project, a community songwriting non-profit. Over the past year, she has performed her original music across the U.S., from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and New York. Now 19, she is launching ISL, a business that promotes the idea that no matter your age, you will always learn something new about yourself, your life, and the world around you.

• Alonzo Wilson co-founded Delta Knight Gaming and grew up in Clarksdale, MS, a small town with limited activities for residents. From high school, Alonzo was driven to be a part of positive change in his hometown. This passion led him to explore new opportunities, from diverse jobs to meeting new people, all aimed at gathering ideas and strategies to enrich his community. Delta Knight Gaming is his latest venture, using gaming industry resources to offer alternative skill-building, socializing, and educational support.

In partnership with The Bridge Music Project, Future Founders, Griot Arts, and We Are Culture Creator.

Who Should Attend:

This Town Hall was designed for Creative Youth Development, Opportunity Youth, Youth Workforce Development, and Community Development. Town hall attendees are encouraged to network, collaborate, and share successful practices that enhance young people's potential.

Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Event Recap.

This event focused on the role of Creative Youth Development (CYD) in fostering well-being and career pathways for youth. We explored the mental health and socio-emotional benefits offered through CYD. We also discussed approaches integrating creative opportunities with developmental needs, going beyond basic essentials to support adolescents' growth.

• The Lewis Prize for Music opened the session by presenting key findings from its analysis of applications over five years, demonstrating the Creative Youth Development (CYD) sector’s dedication to youth well-being.

• The David’s Harp Foundation showcased effective strategies for engaging young people and collaboratively evaluating their wholistic well-being journey through the programs.

• A panel discussion featured experts from diverse fields, such as adolescent mental health and youth workforce development, to consider the implications of prioritizing CYD’s approaches. 

• The session moved into interactive breakout rooms, allowing for a deeper exchange of ideas among all participants. This part of the event is designed to foster active engagement and collaborative learning.

• The conclusion of breakout sessions involved groups reporting back to the larger assembly, ensuring a comprehensive sharing of insights and fostering a collective understanding of the topics discussed.

Our Expert Panelists:

• Dr. Adriana Galván, Professor of Psychology and Dean of Undergraduate Education at UCLA, is also the Co-Executive Director of the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent. A leading neuroscientist, her research focuses on adolescent brain development and its impact on behavior, aiming to inform policies for youth success. She is the author of The Neuroscience of Adolescence and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the White House Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

• Dr. Nia Imani Fields, Deputy Director of the National Youth Employment Coalition, is dedicated to advancing economic mobility for young adults nationwide. With a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership, her work focuses on the intersection of positive youth development, social capital, and social justice. Dr. Fields, a former professor at the University of Maryland, leverages her expertise to support synergistic efforts among organizations enhancing youth employment opportunities.

• Amy Price, Program Executive at the Zellerbach Family Foundation, has been instrumental in the Foundation’s Safety and Belonging investment area since 2011. With a rich background in public and community-based organizations, Amy works to transform youth and family systems in the Bay Area through advocacy and organizing. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Skidmore College. She actively serves on several boards that enhance the well-being of children, youth, and families.

Attendees:

This Town Hall was designed for Creative Youth Development, Opportunity Youth, Youth Mental Health, and Youth Workforce Development stakeholders. We encourage professionals to network, collaborate, and share successful practices that enhance the potential of young people.

Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 1 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Event Recap.

Time and again, we see young people uncovering their innate abilities and succeeding through creative endeavors, underscoring the invaluable role of Creative Youth Development (CYD) as a resource for career readiness initiatives to harness. We explored current CYD practices with the potential for enhancing workforce development and career readiness outcomes.

• The Lewis Prize for Music began the discussion by presenting findings from its recent research report, 'Producing Wellbeing: Music-Based Creative Youth Development’s Approaches to Youth-Led Workforce Development.'

• Following this, we heard from Amber Hamilton and Kab Browley of Memphis Music Initiative, who shared insights into MMI Works’ blending of creativity, leadership, and self-determination in developing career and life skills.

• A panel discussion featured cross-sector experts from philanthropy and workforce development who offered insights to strengthen life opportunities for young people through creativity and career preparation.

• We then transitioned into smaller breakout groups, allowing panelists and attendees to engage in in-depth discussions, share insights collaboratively, and learn from one another.

• Each group reported back to the larger audience, facilitating a comprehensive exchange of ideas.

Our Panelists:

• Joel Arquillos, Executive Director of Snap Foundation, is committed to creating pathways to the creative economy for underrepresented youth in Los Angeles. With a background in education and advocacy, Joel brings a wealth of experience from leading nonprofits such as 826LA and The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company.

• Marjorie Parker, CEO and President of JobsFirstNYC, is a recognized leader in breaking down barriers and transforming systems to support young adults and their communities in pursuing economic opportunities. With over 25 years of experience overseeing adult and youth services initiatives, Marjorie is the current Board Chair of Reconnect NYC and has received honors for her contributions to community development.

• Elizabeth Cheung, Senior Program Officer at Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, leads the Opportunity Youth initiative, focusing on creating pathways to economic stability for young people. With a diverse background in philanthropy and policy analysis, Elizabeth brings a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing youth under-resourced communities.

Attendees:

This event was designed for youth development professionals, funders, practitioners, and stakeholders looking to dive deep into creative youth development. We encourage professionals to network, build partnerships, and learn from each other's successes and experiences.