Youth Leadership Camp

Youth Leadership Camp for High School-Aged Youth
June 23th–27th

Youth spend one week with RAWK Executive Director Dr. Kandace Lavender, focusing on exploring and honing their leadership and writing skills through group discussion, community projects, and more!

Our theme this year is “Social Justice Unplugged.” We will be exploring the text, The Art of Protest by Jo Rippon and using pieces from various artists to influence how we “protest” social justice issues meaningful to US. This will include writing and recording original songs.

After completing this week of workshop and training, Youth Leaders assist with one week of RAWK Summer Writing Camps. Leaders who complete both weeks of camp  receive a stipend that honors the time and energy they have given to their community.

Apply by 10am on Wednesday, May 14th!
Selected candidates will be offered positions by May 30th and must accept position offer by June 6th

Check out the songs created by the 2024 Youth Leaders!

“Quiet War” by RAWK Youth Leaders Mahalia, Nufais “Stormey”, Jahleel, and Yamilet

“Racism” by RAWK Youth Leaders Paul, Makiyah, and Amairany

“We Are Women” by RAWK Youth Leaders Samiyah, Masha, and Ana Julia

RAWK’s Youth Summer Leadership Camp engages high school-aged youth in deepening their self-understanding to recognize the skills and passion they have to bring to leadership.

Dr. Lavender brings her multifaceted education and arts background to designing the program, including her dissertation, TEDx talk, and teaching that centers youths’ voices through Hip Hop. Further, Dr. Lavender engages youth to bring the “funds of knowledge” they possess to their leadership. “Funds of Knowledge” is an educational theory that recognizes the cultural, racial, and community knowledge that we all possess and is ignored in education design that emphasizes the “all-knowing” teacher imparting information to “un-knowing” students.

Dr. Lavender uses this training to co-teach alongside youth participants, centering leadership through an activist lens.

Dr. Lavender utilizes her experience as a hip hop artist and researcher of hip hop education to support youth writing and live studio recording of original hip hop pieces that bring awareness to social justice issues meaningful to them.