The Chicago-based nonprofit’s mission is to promote the positive development of at-risk youth by providing unique opportunities to enhance their academic, social and emotional intelligence through hands-on exposure to the arts, STEM, Trades and mental health. The Brown House Experience offers both in-person and virtual programs for youth. Their virtual programs have reached youth all over the Chicagoland area, Las Vegas and Texas. They currently provide mentoring, after-school programming, trade skills, STEM lessons, art workshops, mental health workshops, behavior management workshops, community events, restorative justice, field trips and interactive mobile stations.

Big Picture Alliance’s mission is to empower Philadelphia youth to define their own narrative through filmmaking and digital media by providing them with transformative learning experiences to have their voices heard and reach their full potential. They offer a pathway of school, summer and workforce programs that provide youth with the tools they need to tell their own stories and the skills they need to succeed in school, life and career. Through partnerships with schools, industry and cultural institutions, Big Picture Alliance brings project-based programs into classrooms and communities across Philadelphia. 

Heart and Soul Design Center (HAS Center) is a 501(c) 3 youth and community based organization designed to be a pillar in the community for resources, programs, and training. Our Mission is to use multimedia and other programming to create a platform to promote education, training, exposure, social advancements, and opportunities.  We offer these services with the intention of providing job skills, life-long learning skills, and an overall support network to increase self-confidence.  

TA98 is a nonprofit organization that tackles unemployment by providing young adults with meaningful career development. TA98 serves youth of color ages 16-24 who reside in Chicago—with the majority coming from the city’s south, west, and northwest side communities. Through their programs, youth are able to hone in on their interests by creating projects and organizing events that utilize creative skills such as photography, graphic design and digital marketing. They also provide coaching and the safe space necessary for youth to further explore their passions and identities.

By developing and offering creative educational programs that are inclusive and accessible, and that promote excellence and empower youth to strive toward their highest potential, New Era Creative Space is on a mission to nurture the next generation of visionary thinkers. Through collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of local organizations, artists and families, New Era Creative Space delivers programs that are creative, experiential, promote problem solving skills, social emotional learning and a sense of citizenship.

Totem Star has become a place for those artists to build life skills in critical thinking through their creative pursuits in music production and performance, communication and collaboration. This creates an environment for young recording artists to thrive in a community that is inclusive and encourages them to learn about music production and performance. The Totem Star Studio program empowers artists to compose and record original songs. The Stage program gives artists an opportunity to perform at open mics that they plan, promote and produce. The Story program is a unique monthly program where youth can attend panels and connect with culturally relevant guest artists and other industry professionals.

What started as a small after-school program serving 50 students has grown to provide students opportunities far beyond the initial offerings. The programs that Youth Beats offer include animation, film and television training, all taught by accomplished industry professionals. There are also summer programs, giving students yet further opportunity to learn and grow.