Teens created a 70’s inspired event focusing on Peace, Unity & Edutainment

Teens created a 70’s inspired event focusing on Peace, Unity & Edutainment

F.U.S.E Teen Fest empowered young people to make healthy choices

The non-profit organization TWP (Teens With a Purpose) -The Youth Movement had their 16^th annual teen event on September 14th in downtown Norfolk at the Vivian C Mason Teen Center with over 150 guests in attendance. This annual teen event was created by teens and for teens, as is the tradition, each year TWP tackles the most important issues or challenges youth face and address them head on. In previous years there were retreats, forums and theatrical productions. This year’s event marks their first ever, teen festival F.U.S.E., focusing on peace, unity, spirit and edutainment. The F.U.S.E. Teen Fest is a 70’s inspired community festival that will included workshops like STAND UP! a interactive youth-led workshop that provides practical steps young people can take to help effect positive change in their communities, led by campers from TWP’s Teen peer-led camp - Camp Inspired; WEB BRUISING a cyber bullying and web spying workshop hosted by City of Norfolk Youth Council, POWER OF POETRY facilitated by Hampton Roads Youth Poets and Baltimore Citywide Youth Poets and COME TOGETHER a workshop for parents designed to improve communication between adults and teens facilitated by Life Coach volunteer LaShandra Walker and Sabrina Watson of YouthMax.

Guest who participated in workshops, were treated to healthy local food by Five Points Farmers Market and salad using vegetables and herbs from TWP's garden on-site. The second half of the event focused on entertainment and was hosted by the new Face of Fox 43 Andria Lea and TWP member Paige Robinson. Teens experienced amazing, original music and positive music by TWP's music division Music Made Simple (MMS) and soul piercing spoken word poetry written and performed by this generation’s bravest new voices Hampton Roads Youth Poets (HRYP). The night also included a very groovy fashion show with 70’s inspired fashions. No Fine Print Clothing Collection sponsored the fashion show and also created a custom t-shirt line for Teens With a Purpose.

Special guests included Baltimore City Youth Poets who also took the stage by storm with thought provoking poetry pieces. SolStice Reb’L is a local band which features Richard Andre Love, Program Coordinator of Teens With a Purpose. They have recently participated in American Battle a national competition for bands. Local celebrity, music artist, model and fashion designer K’Bana Blaq also performed on the Main Stage at F.U.S.E.

The members of Teens With a Purpose are known for their unique approach to empowering young people to use their voice, talent and power for personal and social change. There were fun stations to compliment the workshops and edutainment. There was a face painting station, Graffiti Art & B-Boy station where a live mural of PEACE was created and youth learned how to spin turntables. Live art was also produced by local visual artist Jade Andwele captured the energy of the festival which will be available at the 2013 TWP Gala silent auction on November 1st. There was also a physical games and activity station, TWP Olympics, where youth were able to shoot hoops, hula-hoop and dance.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS: City of Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space, GEICO, Garden of Hope, NSU, She’Matters, Boys & Girls Club, Buttarcup Paints, No Fine Printing Clothing, City of Norfolk Youth Council, Leggwork Photography, Leadership & Sales Academy

Justice for Trayvon Martin Peace Rally



Photo by Em Allison Photography

On July 20^th more than 100 cities across the nation through the National Action Network, people rallied outside federal courthouses in hopes of provoking the Department of Justice to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman one week after he was found not guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin.

 

United Council For Equality, a non-partisan social empowerment group, partnered with Teens with a Purpose to host a rally at the Walter E. Hoffman Federal Courthouse at 600 Granby Street in Norfolk, VA on Saturday, July 20th from noon to 1:30 p.m.  The event was be attended by various clergy, elected officials, and concerned citizens of the Hampton Roads community. More than 450 people attended from every race and color, clergy from various religions were represented, legislators from both sides of the aisle attended including Senator Kenneth Alexander, Senator Louise Lucas, Mayor Kenneth Wright of Portsmouth, Councilwoman Angela Williams of Norfolk, both the republican and Democratic Chairs, and more, and various television stations covered the story. Teens With a Purpose represented the youth voice and performed several spoken word  pieces and an acoustic original song.

 

Following the verdict of the George Zimmerman trial, the purpose of the Justice for Trayvon Martin Peace rally was to educate the public on their civil rights, voter education and civic engagement, and to empower youth to let their voices be heard. 

 

The Justice for Trayvon Martin Peace rally event was one of 100 rallies at federal buildings across the nation through the National Action Network, leading up to the March on Washington on August, 24, 2013 in Washington, D.C.  The march will continue the dream as we recognize the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech.

 

The mission of United Council For Equality is to unite and empower the community to stand up for equality of all people.

 

The mission of Teens With a Purpose – The Youth Movement is to empower young people to use their voices, their energy, and their talent to affect positive change.  The Executive Director of Teens With a Purpose addressed the crowd,

Photo by Em Allison Photography

"Good Afternoon, It is wonderful to stand with all of you today. I am the Director of Teens With a Purpose. Everyday of my life is dedicated to supporting youth, helping them to find their voice and encourageing them to use their power of that voice to effect positive change. On some levels, I am not a leader but a follower. I strive to follow young peoples visions and voices, helping them arrive safely and productively at their intended destination. And so along with youth members of our organization, I am here today to encourage youth to participate in rallies, vote, march, write songs and poems - do what you can to positively impact this community, country and globe. Today the world is listening, speak peace, speak justice, speak your truth."

Teens With a Purpose are teens creatively cultivating the next generation of leaders. Support the movement, make a donation or volunteer. TWPTheMovement.org