In Partnership with NAFJ and the 400 Year African American Commission
The Kemba Smith Foundation is pleased to present
L.O.V.E. Let Our Voices Educate – A Youth Leadership Program
to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Kemba Smith’s release from federal prison.
December 22, 2020 will mark the 20-year anniversary of Kemba Smith release from federal prison. To commemorate this celebration, the Kemba Smith Foundation is offering a FREE monthly virtual student leadership course to students across the nation, ages 18 and 21. Students under the age of 18, may participate with an email consent from parent/guardian. Classes will begin on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. May 2021 will end the program with a virtual graduation ceremony.
Each monthly virtual session will kick off with a Guest DJ leading an engaging lyrical exploration of popular songs to inspire a sense of consciousness and transition to a critical discussion of an important topic.
Participants will receive a hard copy of Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story as a reference tool to study and correlate experiences with African American history, social justice and laws which have influenced disparities within the criminal justice system.
Fueled by the “War on Drugs” and “Tough on Crime” mandatory sentencing policies, mass incarceration has had a clear racial impact. L.O.V.E. will feature monthly topics of discussion such as voting, mass incarceration, gun violence, domestic violence, etc…
Why would you want to participate in this program?
- Participants who complete the program will be eligible to be entered into a raffle to win an IPAD (2 giveaways) and gifts.
- Participants will be graduates from the inaugural class of 2021 and receive a certificate and names will be listed on the KSF website to be recognized as participating in a nationally recognized program.
- Participants may be able to receive some type of extra credit from instructor(s) for their participation.
The course will encourage you to:
- Be empowered to make healthy choices to avoid the school to prison pipeline.
- Learn how Kemba Smith used her voice to educate and learn about other stories.
- Promote consciousness, skill building and leadership development by uplifting the contributions of African Americans in American History.
- Understand just how impactful your voice can be in moving our nation forward.
- Be empowered to let your voice educate others.
Let Our Voices Educate – Youth Leadership Program will meet monthly on the third Saturday of each month beginning Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11 am – 12:30 pm EST. The link to join each session will be emailed to the email address provided on your registration form. Kemba Smith’s book will be mailed to the mailing address provided on your registration form. Please email any questions to communications@kembasmithfoundation.org.
The remainder of program schedule Saturdays:
November 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
December 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
January 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
February 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
March 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
April 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
May 15, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM – Virtual Graduation