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
Application Opens This Month
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 consider applying for our Their Stories, Our Voices Youth Griot Program. Applications will open later this month. Stay tuned for details!
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 28 – December 13, 2024
- Summer programming: June 9 – July 18, 2025
- Fall programming: August 2025 – June 2026 (2nd and 4th Saturday each month, 10 AM – 12 PM)
- Exhibition showcase: June 19, 2026
*Dates are 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.