Let’s Rise: Stories of youth engagement and education

Welcome to the next installment of LET’S RISE, the PA Humanities statewide video project,  created in partnership with Emmy-winning filmmaker Kelly Dessoye in celebration of our 50th anniversary. In these videos, you’ll see powerful examples of how everyday people across Pennsylvania are using the tools of the humanities to strengthen their lives and communities. 

In today’s fractured climate, they show how the humanities are essential, and they must endure. 

Each month, we release a few videos organized around a theme. In December, we’re spotlighting how young people are engaging with the humanities through PA Humanities programs and initiatives and finding new ways to understand themselves, one another, and their communities. 

We invite you to watch and reflect, and join us in ensuring that the humanities remain a vibrant force in Pennsylvania by making your gift today. 

Celebrating Youth Voices Through Rain Poetry

Poetry is a powerful tool for conveying stories and demonstrating that we share the same human experiences. Trapeta B. Mayson, former Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, worked with PA Humanities to create the Kindness Poem (2022) and then contributed to the design of the Rain Poetry project. Engaging area teaching artists including Enoch the Poet, Rain Poetry Philadelphia kicked off a statewide initiative that not only teaches young people the art of haiku poetry but also shows them, through public installations of their work, that their voices deserve to be heard.  

“There are all these ways to signal to these students that you matter and you’re important and we care about what you have to say. Because what you had to say is what’s painted on the ground.” – Enoch the Poet

Reimagining a More Just World Through the Humanities

Point Park University student Anna Skeels first connected with PA Humanities through 2022’s In the Room initiative. Skeels was one of 11 young people selected from submissions statewide to join PA Humanities in a special educational opportunity that included touring the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, seeing Hamilton on Broadway and engaging with the cast in a special talkback session afterward. That experience, along with participating in one of PA Humanities’ podcasts, Re-Vision, helped to recenter Skeels’ dream of working in social justice through theater.

“Theater is the way that we got to talk about politics. Theater is the way that we got to socially and politically engage. How beautiful is that?” – Anna Skeels

Humanities-Powered Teen Spaces in Erie

The young people who come to Teen Reading Lounge at Erie Public Library don’t join with the intention of discovering the humanities or learning how they fit into the universe, but it happens, librarian Tammy Blount said. Their “souped up” book club is social and supportive, because the teens choose the books they read, get to explore topics that interest them and design projects and activities to learn more. The longer they’re involved in TRL, Blount said, the more she sees the teens becoming comfortable having difficult discussions, speaking up and sharing their thoughts. 

“When they hear these stories and become friends and have this emotional connection with their peers who are having other lived experiences, it’s the most transformative thing about TRL.” – Tammy Blount

Your support makes this work possible. LET’s rise together and keep the humanities strong in Pennsylvania, illuminating the strength and beauty of our shared humanity. Please consider a donation today.

And be sure to check out our previous months’ themes:

Let’s Rise: Stories of Connection through Culture

Let’s Rise: Stories of Pennsylvania History

Let’s Rise: Stories of Community

This video series was made possible with the generous support of Tom Hagen.