Part of $1 million focusing on reporting, scriptwriting, and on-air delivery
Young people are experiencing a unique and challenging time. Their lives have been disrupted by a pandemic; they’ve heard a lot about social unrest in the media. In response, AT&T and CNN are collaborating to launch Youth Voices Collective, a program to support student expression and teach writing and journalism skills at a moment when young people are looking for ways to speak out.
The program ‘Youth Voices Collective’ aims to provide instruction and publishing opportunities to thousands of students across the U.S., especially those in underserved communities. 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the country, and VOX ATL, a longtime CNN collaborator that amplifies the voices of Atlanta youth have come forward as support.
Opportunities
Students participating in Youth Voices Collective will get opportunities to learn from journalists at CNN, such as Carl Azuz, anchor and writer of CNN 10. The digital news program is producing student-focused segments on balanced news reporting, scriptwriting, and on-air delivery. The Youth Voices Collective will give students a sense of community and provide insight into how journalists objectively cover world events.
Approach
In a unique way with 826 National’s New Orleans chapter, students are posting their writing on windows, front doors, and fences for the city to read. 826 students in our chapters across the country write urgent stories about the issues in their cities and communities. In addition to its own platforms, 826 National will introduce students from its nine chapters across the U.S. to publishing opportunities with Six Feet of Separation.
As protests over social justice swept the U.S. in recent weeks, Youth Voices collaborators have seen young people’s need to express themselves grow. The world needs to hear from young people now more than ever, said Susan Landrum, executive director of VOX ATL.
