Darrion Borders
Number of people in the organization: 200
Number of people impacted: 800
Describe the impact the grant had: By allowing us to produce this CD you are giving us access to other funding opportunities because more people are attracted to the organization. You allowed to create real music with messages that help youth and our community. Other programs will be started because of you!!!
Project highlights: Being told by survivors of dating violence that our music helps them- especially our song "set you free" Being approached by PBS to to a documentary on our program which we will start in the fall. Hearing our music on the radio (which is very different from the type of music they normally play-ours is empowering)!
How did the project unfold and develop? The Cipher is an organization that engages youth to promote social change through their love of Hip Hop. Its mission is to build a community of young leaders and engaged hip hop artists and to strengthen the East Austin community in multiple ways. 

The creative expression and public performances encouraged through The Cipher create a group of confident and engaged young people who work tirelessly for social change in the East Austin community. They leave the program empowered, authentic and connected to the Austin music Industry. The program provides these young people with positive learning experiences through which they gain new skills and competencies, build self-esteem, improve academic performance and expand possibilities for their futures. The goals of the project are as follows: • To promote and preserve the East Austin community's cultural traditions and build positive associations for the unique character and strengths of the neighborhood by focusing on the experiences of youth • To strengthen the East Austin community through the infusion of cultural pride and creativity generated by the project • To promote youth-directed learning through active, positive social dialogue across boundaries of age, race, gender, culture and sexuality • To increase media literacy to give youth new ways to think critically about culture and social messages • To offer youth opportunities to share their stories and promote social change through their love of hip-hop • To provide access to Austin's community resources and also exposure to professional resources in Austin's music industry • To expose East Austin youth to positive role models and mentors • To expose the wider Austin community to the life experiences of the youth of East Austin • To foster their personal development by teaching negotiation skills, providing leadership opportunities, clarifying values, promoting teamwork, and modeling healthy relationship techniques • To create a culturally relevant and inviting community of young adults in Austin Over the last year, The Cipher shifted its intensity and focus into high gear. After many long hours and a tremendous amount of hard work, determination and heart, the youth participants of The Cipher released their first album on CD. Each track on the CD tells the stories of the artists that created them while proving that Hip Hop can (and should) be engaging, thought provoking, intelligent, artful and inspiring. The album is an innovative and dramatic departure from the sexist, homophobic, violent and money-hungry noise that other so-called Hip Hop artists produce today. It is an honest, authentic and empowering social commentary that challenges artists and fans alike to reclaim Hip Hop from the grips of misogyny and greed. The CD, and perhaps more so the live performances, of The Cipher are truly a gift to the East Austin Community and the city of Austin as a whole. It serves as proof that youth, in this case youth from a drastically underserved community, only need to be empowered to be successful and culturally relevant and impactful. The work of The Cipher serves as a blueprint for youth organizing and empowerment. The CD Release party for The Cipher’s first CD titled “From Soldiers to Warriors”. The Community experienced a top notch, professional quality performance. All of the artists, their friends and family and other members of the East Austin community bursting with a sense of accomplishment that was beyond pride. They were affirmed by the accomplishments of The Cipher. What was given back to the East Austin Community was much larger than a just CD or a performance. What was given back to the community was something that has long been withheld from them - power. They came to the event hoping to see a good show. They left with a burning desire to make positive changes in their community and it was The Cipher that lit the fire.