In the Cold of the Night rip 
March 13th, 2009, Mass College of Art & Design- Students from TechBoston Academy and around the greater Boston area came together at MassArt last Friday for the 2009 Youth Leadership Conference: “Art Is Action”. This student run event consisted of a powerful sequence of workshops and performances, addressing youth issues through various art forms. 3 groups from the TBA Poetry Club presented workshops, and a dozen other TBA students participated.
“Word Up-Dismantling Negative stereotypes of Boston Teens” led by Michael Leary, Nicholas Ferguson, Richard Jarrell, and Dominique Johnson.
Do you belief that you are misjudged as a teen in Boston? Are there issues in your personal life, community, neighborhood, and school that you believe others misjudge or create negative stereotypes about? Come learn how you can use your poetry, words, and artistic skills to undo these misconceptions and shine a new light on a misunderstood issue in your life.
“Get Your Words Heard” led by Ayan Abdullahi and Hennessy Cruz
Are there emotions, feelings, or other unheard ideas that are bottled up in you that you need to give a voice to? If so, then you need to attend this workshop to learn about a large variety of peoty art styles and forms that you can use to express these stifled emotions. Participants will walk away with a variety of ways to show feelings and release their inner selves.
“My Words are My Future” led by Laqueena Williams and Cassandra Clark
How do you envision yourself in the future? Who do you want to be and what mark do you plan on making in the world? Make a personal commitment to be the future self you envision by learning how to write a future poem. Do only will you create a future poem, but you will email it to your future self to make a binding commitment to “be the change you wish to see in the world.”
