I am dedicated to providing under-heard members of the community with the tools and opportunities for self-expression. Telling stories and sharing dreams, especially those of marginalized communities, lead to individual and community growth. I view teaching media, art and storytelling from a positive youth development perspective while values the words and experiences of young people and believe they are the experts of their lives. I believe creative expression is a tool and a means of empowerment.

My experience:

I have experience with youth organizing and social justice education through a variety of professional, volunteer and personal experiences.

• From May – June 2011, I served as a Teen Programs Intern at Museum of Contemporary Art working in support of the Creative Agency, a new program where 15-19 year olds collectively explore what art is and what art teaches them about themselves and their world. As an intern, I developed and implemented an outreach plan to recruit qualified students to the Creative Agency. I initiated and maintained contact with select schools and community organizations which refer students. I distributed promotional materials to schools, community-organizations, and businesses throughout the Chicagoland area.

• From June – August 2010, I served as the Steppenwolf for Young Adults Intern at Steppenwolf Theater. Steppenwolf for Young Adults bring high quality theater to artistically curious young adults in hopes of inspiring a new generation of theater enthusiasts and practitioners. During my internship, I assisted with the facilitation of meetings and field trips for the diverse fifteen-member Steppenwolf Young Adult Council. I assisted with planning and facilitating the MaTEENee Series including performance viewing and post-show discussion with actors. I also coordinated the new member application and selection process including collecting and reviewing over forty applications, scheduling interviews with selected applicants, and selecting new members.

My interests:

• Nurturing the inherent need in all people to tell their stories and be heard
• Creating spaces where young people can relate to themselves and other in healthier and more fulfilling ways
• Opening the door for creative expression to those who feel like their voices do not matter and they have nothing of value to share
• Teaching and Learning. Everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn.
• Leveraging the power of young people’s media, art, storytelling and voices to become effective advocates for social change
• Training students in creative expression, leadership and advocacy
• Documenting the issues that directly affect the lives of young people through their personal stories
• Harnessing the power of young people to make positive social change
• Utilizing creative expression to build support for policies that will positively impact the lives of young people
• Informing the public of important social issues through exhibitions of young people’s work in a variety of venues
• Partnering with advocacy and community organizations to implement creative strategies that use youth media, art and storytelling to strengthen campaigns to improve public policies that directly impact the lives of young people