Speak Out and Rise Up Arts Project

We currently offer the following activities Workshops- Debate: The Rise Up Rebuild debate program teaches young people research, critical thinking, advocacy, and public speaking skills. Our debaters have participated in and won several Urban Debate leagues as well as placed 5th in the 2009 Harvard Debate Tournament. Visual Arts Rise Up Rebuild's visual arts program gives students the tools to express themselves. We teach our students about ancient cultural art and expose them to a wide range of art history, while encouraging them to create their own mark on the art world. Creative Writing Rise Up, Rebuild’s “Power of the Word” is a series of creative writing workshops that teach youth to use words to express thoughts and feelings. Youth study different writers and different poetic forms, movements, and devices; the class ends with a compilation of student’s work and/or a Poetry Café. Tutorials - remedial reading and math - middle and high school math, language arts, social studies, and science - GED instruction - SAT and ACT preparation Open Mics in Baltimore and DC College Tours Mentoring Past Programs: Monthly Debate Workshops (Baltimore, MD) Bi-monthly art workshops - Creative Writing and Art at KIPP Academy (Washington, DC; 2008-2009) - Creative Writing for the Summer Youth Employment Program with In Da Streets, Inc (Washington, DC; Summer 2009) - Arts & Activism After-school program at Learning Inc. (Baltimore, MD 2008- 2009) Test prep at Sankofa Café in Washington, DC Debate - Harvard Debate Invitational Valentine’s Week (2009; 2010) - Workshops in Baltimore - Coaching and Judging Tournaments of BUDL, NYUDL, DCUDL, BAUDL - Speech Development Conferences - Young Women’s Empowerment Conference (March 2009) Open Mics - Nothin’ But Love Open Mic (DC, weekly Monday nights @ 2010 Lounge) - Sumthin Bout ya Love (Baltimore, October 15, 2009 @ Trinidad Gourmet) - Poverty Release (Baltimore, September 24, 2009) - Youth open mics (seasonal) Current Events January 2010: - Nothin’ But Love Open Mic Fundraiser (weekly Monday nights) o An event for all artists and those who support DC and Baltimore youth; please come and share your art and/or enjoy good talent. 2010 Lounge (2010 9th Street, Washington, DC). This is a free event, yet we accept donations. - MLK Open Mic (1/18; 2010 9th Street, Washington DC o An event to remember and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through hip hop, poetry, and spoken word. - Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament (2/13-2/15) - Rise Up Open Mic (1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month) o An open mic, featuring Real as youth host at Sankofa Books and Café (2714 Georgia Ave NW). Please come share your talent and every day thoughts and ideas or enjoy general dialogue. Education is key. Future Goals A. Rise Up, Rebuild Literary Magazine 1. Our goals is to create a monthly publication (for students to have experience as professional artists and create something of their own) • Students will work as editors, publishers, and artists. 2. Beginning June 2010, youth will participate in daily creative writing workshops as apart of DC’s Summer Youth Employment program under the “In da Streets, Incorporated” youth program a. Youth will create poetry, participate in a radio show, and host open mics (culminating with a Back-To-School showcase) 3. During Fall 2010, we will sponsor weekly art and creative writing workshops (to solve the issues of lack of activities and therapy space; and poor literacy) i. Experienced local artists will work with youth to develop their works of art. ii. Topics covered will include education, health, environment, violence, poverty, global politics, and disaster relief. iii. Two youth will work as lead editors of the magazine under the guidance of an experienced magazine editor. 4. We will feature the new magazine at our bi-weekly Rise Up Open Mic and subsequently every month to showcase the new issue of each publication (organized and hosted by students). i. This will develop self-esteem, presentation skills, and organizing skills. 5. Youth will gain experience as professional artists- will be paid for their work/contributions a. Youth will be paid $15 for poems and $30 for short stories. b. Youth will paid $25 for visual art work c. Youth participating in the workshops may submit one poem, guaranteed for publication; all other youth and submissions are published at the discretion of the editors. d. Youth editors will be paid $50 for their contributions as editors; youth will be elected to be editors by classroom teachers participating in workshops. B. Rise Up, Rebuild Debate Team 1. In July 2010, Rise Up, Rebuild will host a summer debate camp. The cost is $20 for a four-day non-residential camp. Students will participate in standardized test preparation, financial literacy, public speaking, professional development, critical thinking drills, and meditation. a. The dates for the camp are July 12-15, 2010 b. The camp will culminate with a debate tournament and awards ceremony for those who participate in the camp. Professionals from all over the country will teach workshops and mentor the youth. c. Youth debate coaches will be paid $15 per hour for their services. 2. During the Fall, Rise Up, Rebuild will host a Washington, DC and Baltimore debate team, coached by experienced high school and college debaters. Youth will form teams and meet 2-3 days per week (4-5 on tournament weeks) and travel throughout the United States to compete against other teams. Rise Up, Rebuild Debate teams will be apart of the Baltimore Urban Debate League (BUDL). C. Rise Up, Rebuild College Tour 1. Beginning Summer 2010, Rise Up, Rebuild will sponsor a college tour for high school students. 2. Students from Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD will visit the following local colleges: Georgetown Law School; Howard University; University of Maryland- College Park; Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Morgan State University; Towson University; and George Mason University. 3. During Fall 2010, Rise Up, Rebuild will take students to colleges in Virginia and North Carolina. a. We hope to expand our college tour program throughout the nation as our funds increase. D. Rise Up, Rebuild Mix-tape 1. Beginning Spring 2010, Rise Up, Rebuild will hold workshops for youth to write poetry and music for the Rise Up, Rebuild Mix-tape. a. Themes on the mix-tape will include: relationships; health; HIV/AIDs and STD prevention; education; politics; racism; violence; economic and financial training; and disaster relief. 2. Youth will record in the “Follow Your Dreams” studio in Baltimore, MD. 3. Rise Up, Rebuild will sell the mix-tape for $5 to support youth activities. 4. The grant will be used to pay youth $20 per piece (both producers and artists). In our endeavors, Rise Up, Rebuild will partner with: 1. In Da Streets, Incorporated (DC) 2. Youth As Resources (Baltimore, MD) 3. Baltimore Urban Debate League 4. Metro Teen AIDS (DC) 5. Sankofa Café (DC) 6. 2010 Lounge (DC) 7. Baltimore Algebra Project 8. Spit Dat Open Mic Community (DC) 9. Various artists and teachers (DC and Baltimore, MD) Measurements: 1. One-on-One interview whether goals have been met a. Entrance; Mid-Year; End of the Year 2. Survey address whether the goals have been met a. Monthly b. After every workshop and event 3. Quizzes and Exams a. Monthly