Amplify Youth Activism to Empower Us All

What is the voice of an activist?
 
This summer, upwards of 140 youth will discover and amplify their activist voices through the creation of seven Groundswell murals across New York City.
 
In the last year, critical conversations around social justice have erupted across the news, on our social media feeds, and at the dinner table. Every day, New Yorkers fight for a more just and equitable world, advocating for police reform, safer streets, women’s empowerment, and recognition of treasured neighborhoods’ accomplishments.
 
From Brownsville to the South Bronx to the East Village to Sunset Park, communities join Groundswell to continue this activism by rallying for a call for social change through public art.
 
Over the next two months, Groundswell’s youth artists will become inspired through Groundswell’s flagship program, the Summer Leadership Institute (SLI). They will join teaching artists and community-based partners to create meaningful change in seven New York City neighborhoods. Through this process, Groundswell’s youth will not only research, design, and fabricate large-scale murals. They will become ambassadors of social justice for these critical issues, for their communities, and for themselves as part of a community of young activists.
 
At Groundswell, we believe art creates community and community creates change. This vision inspires us to further activate the social impact created by the entire Groundswell community. Groundswell’s innovative Scaffold Up!TM model will guide us this SLI toward uniting the work of our diverse stakeholders, from our youth to neighborhood residents, from city agencies to wall owners to you.
 
Working collectively, we can reach our united goals for social change.
 
Add your voice to the conversation by following our updates through email listserve and our #groundswellnyc hashtag.