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In Brief
From food security and coding to journalism and racial justice advocacy, Voices of I Am New Orleans is a powerful new audio series highlighting how young people are shaping a more equitable future. Created in partnership with Be Loud Studios as part of the I Am New Orleans initiative, four episodes have been released so far, each featuring personal stories from young New Orleans changemakers alongside the grantee organizations that nurture their leadership and impact.
Why It Matters
Every story in this series reflects the voices of young people with unique lived experiences, and the trusted organizations helping build the infrastructure for those stories to unfold. These grantee partners are doing more than offering programs—they are co-creating pathways with youth who are ready to lead.
This series offers a compelling look at what becomes possible when:
- Organizations invest in youth leadership, not just youth outcomes. Programs like Operation Spark equip youth with tools to shape their own futures, whether through job-ready tech skills, creative confidence or access to careers that have historically excluded them.
- Storytelling is integrated into program design. Lede New Orleans isn’t teaching journalism as an extracurricular; it’s cultivating young storytellers who shift narratives, influence civic dialogue and reflect the full dignity of their communities.
- We build platforms, not pipelines. Dillard University’s Center for Racial Justice gives students the space, mentorship and resources to organize, advocate and challenge oppressive systems, starting on campus and radiating outward.
- Strategic partnerships create shared power. The New Orleans Food Policy Action Council’s ongoing collaboration with Xavier University’s Food Access Training and Education (FATE) program shows how community organizations and academic institutions can come together to develop youth-led solutions that influence policy and advance access to healthy, affordable food for all.
The Opportunity
Youth voice and community leadership are often discussed in abstract terms—but Voices of I Am New Orleans brings those concepts to life through real stories, real people and real impact. For funders, the series underscores a vital truth: investing in trusted community organizations doesn’t just support programs—it creates ecosystems where young leaders can thrive today and build momentum for long-term change.
Visit iamneworleansvoices.com/listen to explore the full series and stay up to date on future episodes.
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