Art as a Political Activator

Few organizations can successfully incorporate art in all forms to inspire civic engagement among young people of color. 1Hood in Pittsburgh, Ohio Organizing Coalition (OOC) in Columbus, and MS Votes in Jackson are the exception to the rule and continue to strive to empower young people. 

In a roundtable moderated by Harvard Graduate School of Education Lecturer on Education Aysha Upchurch, OOC’s Co-Executive Director Prentiss Haney, 1Hood’s Co-Founder Jasiri X, and MS Votes’ Executive Director Arekia Bennett-Scott discuss the impact and importance of the arts as means to connect with and empower young people to be politically active.

Aysha Upchurch is an entrepreneur, artist, educator, and consultant who creates, facilitates, and designs for radical change. Jasiri X is the first independent Hip-Hop artist to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate; he also founded 1Hood Media, whose mission is to build liberated communities through art, education, and social justice. Arekia Bennett-Scott is a Mississippi-based community organizer that has a passion for young people and social justice. Prentiss Haney is a veteran community organizer and strategist whose work has been featured in The Atlantic, The Guardian, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, and Blavity. These dynamic guests will join together to inspire civic engagement among young people of color and should not be missed.  

The virtual event takes place May 18, 2022, at 7:00 pm and is free. To register for the event, click here

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