Causes

Arts & culture Education Philanthropy & capacity building

Posted by

Josiah B.

CEO/Founder

Our mission

At Music Changing Lives, our mission is to offer the highest quality music and art enrichment programs paired with academic support to underprivileged and at-risk youth ages 5 and older. We work to improve their chances of achieving a positive and successful future and transform them into active and knowledgeable civic participants.

What we do

The Changing Lives Showcase is a 21-week afterschool enrichment program hosted directly on school campuses. The program focuses on increasing the district's graduation rates while providing a venue in which students can develop their artistic talents. Music, spoken word, creative arts, etc. are designed to draw out youth and their stories, which is the impetus for their purpose and priorities. Once youth identify their story, tell it - in whatever form they choose, then they can learn to give voice to the issues that matter to them and take action - which is the precipice from which they become civically engaged and want and know how to demand change. They begin to both identify their priorities, learn to organize and make a difference.

At the completion of the program, students who successfully achieve the program requirements are eligible to compete in a performing-arts competition to showcase their talents before their peers, family, friends, educators and community leaders and policymakers.