Project: Speak Your Truth Open Mic
Youth nonprofit Stay Woke, dedicated to empowering youth through creative expression and fostering social awareness, used its Community Activation MicroGrant to produce the Speak Your Truth open mic. This annual event provides a unique platform for youth voices to leave their mark on the community.
Held at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Blind Duck Pub on Saturday, July 27, 2024, the event featured 21 talented performers, including a diverse group of spoken word artists, prose writers, and musicians, who engaged 166 attendees. This year’s event also included 19 youth vendors, making it the most expansive version in its seven-year history.
With their grant, they were able to lower ticket prices, making the event more accessible and inclusive. They were also able to hire youth photographers and videographers instead of relying on volunteer efforts.
We are excited to continue building on the success of this event. We are already planning future initiatives that will further empower youth and foster creativity within our community. The “Stay Woke – Speak Your Truth” event has shown us what is possible when we come together with a shared vision, and we are eager to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together.
Stay Woke
Photos by Urooj K @momentsbyurooj
