Their Stories, Our Voices Youth Griot Program
“If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”
- Dr. Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro, published in 1933
Information Session October 7
Calling all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors:
- Do you like telling stories?
- Do you care about local Black history?
- Do you live or attend school in St. Petersburg?
- Do you want to strengthen your communication skills and earn a $1,000 stipend in the process?
If so, please join us for an information session on our Their Stories, Our Voices Youth Griot Program October 7! Doors open at 5:30 PM, program runs from 6 PM – 7 PM.
Please note that information session attendance is mandatory to participate in this program. Email Dr. Bilan Joseph at bilan@healthystpete.foundation with any questions.
Register Now
Program Details
Their Stories, Our Voices Youth Griot Program is a year-long commitment that will train 20 high school students to tell and share the stories of local Black history-makers. Through a six-week intensive summer program and continuing with bi-monthly Saturday sessions throughout the 2025-2026 school year, students will learn from Foundation’s Griot-in-Residence Ms. Gwendolyn Reese, as well as other professional journalists, photographers, videographers, and content creators.
- Participants will receive a $1000 stipend for their time and effort
- Student work will be showcased at a Juneteenth Exhibition at the Foundation’s Center for Health Equity in June, 2026
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Application window: October 7 – November 15, 2024
- Interviews (in-person and virtual): January 13 – 31, 2025
- New cohort announced: February 13, 2025
- Summer programming: June 3 – July 12, 2025
- Fall programming: August 2025 – June 20206 (2nd and 4th Saturday each month)
- Exhibition showcase: June 19, 2026*
*Date is subject to change
Eligibility Requirements
- 9th – 11th grade high school students
- Complete and submit an application by November 7, 2024
- Must reside or attend school in St. Petersburg
- 3.0 GPA or higher
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Signed parent consent/commitment form*
- Attendance at October 7, 2024, information session
*To participate in this program, parent participation is expected. Parents will need to sign a consent form and agree to participate as a partner with staff as a part of the application. Parents will also be required to be present at the student orientation meeting.
Questions? Contact Dr. Bilan Joseph at bilan@healthystpete.foundation.