The Art of Being Seen: Liberation & Leadership

In the current landscape, young Black men encounter persistent discrimination and bear emotional and psychological wounds, highlighting the vital role of art as a transformative resource for healing their mind, body, and spirit.

Black youth suicide rates are increasing more quickly than those of any other racial or ethnic group, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2019, the number of Black youths aged 10 to 19 who commit suicide has risen by 54 percent. 

Additionally, from 2007 to 2020, suicides among Black youth aged 10 to 17 jumped an alarming 144 percent. However, multiple studies have shown that art therapy can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, help process emotions and trauma, and reduce stress. The foundation of The Art of Being Seen is giving Young Kings opportunities to practice art therapy and use art as a practice of liberation.

“As musicians and artists, it's important we have an environment... that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society.” – Ms. Lauryn Hill

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The Art of Being Seen is an expressive arts-based mental health initiative that empowers Young Kings to explore & heal through creativity. Blending visual art, acting, music, photography, videography, and writing. These avenues offer a therapeutic alternative to traditional talk therapy by using personal storytelling as a tool for emotional growth, self-awareness, & community connection.

Grounded in expressive arts therapy and narrative therapy, our program follows the three core pillars known as REC:

● Reflection to process emotions and experiences

● Expression through chosen creative mediums

● Connection via safe group sharing and public showcases

Young Kings participate in workshops such as acting-for-healing, self-portrait photography, emotion-based painting, music creation, and spoken word. These workshops, led by community leaders across different media, connect Young Kings with reliable artists and help develop third spaces. They culminate in impactful exhibits like our "Young King Showcase" that celebrate vulnerability, resilience, and creativity.

Through your donation and The Art of Being Seen, we can assist even more Young Kings in their mental health journeys than ever before. Your gift on Colorado Gives Day provides more than funding—it provides a key to liberation. It allows us to remain responsive to the needs of our Young Kings, to continue evolving our programming, and to create pathways that extend far beyond the classroom. It fuels the structure that keeps them connected, supported, and seen. Every dollar given today carries forward as a promise that every Young King can heal, and we can provide the space for that healing—no matter the medium.

And as we move beyond this day, we invite you to make that promise permanent. Our 100 for 100 Campaign: An Investment in Equity calls for 100 donors to commit $100 per month for 12 months. This ongoing commitment creates the financial backbone that allows us to expand mentorship, strengthen curriculum, and increase access for the hundreds of Young Kings who are ready for what comes next. This work is liberation in motion. It is what happens when a community refuses to wait for systems to change and instead becomes the change. It is what happens when we see our Young Kings not as statistics, but as scholars, creators, and leaders of the future.

When you give today, you sustain the movement. When you commit tomorrow, you ensure its legacy.

Your contribution powers possibility. It builds equity, expands access, and creates the conditions for our Young Kings to rise—not someday, but now.

Give today. Invest tomorrow. The legacy begins with you.