How Urban Creators is giving youth an alternative to the DNC this week

In a democracy fueled by big money and industrialized by mainstream media, it can be frustrating for people to feel like their voices have been heard. That be a civic engagement repellent for youth.

Urban Creators is doing something about it this week for the Democratic National Convention by hosting a series of events around social issues facing youth in inner-city communities.

The urban farming program out of Kensington’s Life Do Grow farm was once described by cofounder Alex Epstein as a “weird, scrappy group of students and artists” using urban ag as a tool for community development and revitalization, and the slate of events this week look to follow suit.

Throughout the week, the program is hosting Youth Action Assembly, which Epstein described as a “direct alternative to the DNC where youth voice is celebrated.” The goal, he said, is to “provide a dynamic platform for young leaders to engage in political discourse and action, facilitate an inter-generational dialogue around social issues facing our communities, and to use art as a tool for social change.”

• July 26, noon to 3 p.m. — Black Lives Matter at Asian Arts Initiative
• July 26, 3 to 6 p.m. — Education 4 Liberation, Asian Arts Initiative
• July 27, noon to 3 p.m. — Mass Freedom, Painted Bride
• July 76, 3 to 6 p.m. — Food, Land and Environmental Justice, Painted Bride

Each conversation will include a mix of youth leaders, adult allies, and political leaders such as District Attorney Seth Williams and Councilwoman Helen Gym. Additionally, each conversation will start and end with a poem or monologue from young local poets, and both locations will showcase art from young local artists.

Then, this Saturday, Urban Creators will host the first annual UPTOWN Block Party at Uptown Theater on North Broad to raise awareness for the landmark’s reconstruction.

Check out additional details (and some nifty fliers) on Urban Creators’ site.