Inspiring Minds NYC

10/08/2026

Our Trip to Ghana — Part 4: Naming Ceremony 🇬🇭✨

One of the unique experiences of being African American is that our ancestors were stripped of their names, identities, languages, and cultural connections and given new ones by their oppressors.

So we have to ask ourselves: Whose identity are we carrying? What parts of our identity were lost? And how has that loss impacted the way we see ourselves and the world?

These are important questions for us to unpack as a community.

During our trip, we learned how much thought, intention, and meaning goes into naming a person in Ghana. A name can reflect your family, your tribe, your circumstances, your character, and even provide insight into who you are destined to become.

We visited a family compound and had the honor of receiving our Ghanaian names. What made the experience even more powerful was that, despite not knowing us, the names we received somehow reflected qualities and personality traits we already possessed.

What a powerful reminder of the parts of ourselves that may have always been there, waiting to be remembered. ❤️🖤💚💛

Check out the highlights from our naming ceremony! 🇬🇭✨

10/05/2026

Our trip to Ghana part 3! 🇬🇭
A huge shoutout to African Roots Travel for curating such an incredible experience for us, including a visit to a local music studio! 🎶

Our Director of Teaching and Learning, Brian Favors, produced an original song, while our young people wrote their own verses, and together, a hit was made!

The song captures our collective appreciation for “making it back home”, a homecoming that has been a long time coming.

Press play, enjoy, and experience the joy with us! 🎶✨

09/24/2026

We’re excited to embark on another year of facilitating our Rites of Passage program at Brownsville Academy! 🙌🏾

Last year, Jordan Michael Pierre masterfully facilitated a powerful 20-week experience where our young men explored identity, history, the impact of media on their self-image, and their responsibility to create positive change in their communities.

Check out this highlight from the program and stay tuned for more moments, reflections, and impact from this year’s journey! ✊🏾🔥

09/19/2026

We’re excited to kick off another impactful school year with our community school partner, Quest to Learn! 🎉

Under the incredible leadership of our Senior Community School Director, Chey K., MSW ✨, our young people have engaged in a variety of after-school clubs, college tours, youth-led events, and so much more!

We’re looking forward to another year of creating opportunities, building community, and empowering our young people to thrive.

A special thank you to Principal Galazidis for the continued partnership and opportunity to serve the Q2L community! 🙏🏾

09/18/2026

09/15/2026

09/09/2026

09/08/2026

We kicked off our Freedom School pilot this spring, and it was a HUGE hit! 🙌🏾

We’re incredibly grateful to , President of , for creating the opportunity for us to partner with for a full day dedicated to engaging young people and parents through everything we do best! Our young people explored history and political literacy, followed by enriching activities including martial arts, theater, podcasting, music, and dance. Our Youth Ambassadors also put boots on the ground, spreading the word and engaging more than 60 high school students from their communities! Check out the programs 2 of our ambassadors created through our shark tank: .in.history and !

This is what happens when we create spaces where young people can learn, create, lead, and build community.

We’ll keep you posted when Freedom School starts back up, but in the meantime, check out the highlights!

Special shout out to our team for their hard work!
Director: .favors3
Assistant Director: Nehemi’EL SIMMs
Political Literacy:
Music:
Theater & History:
Podcasting & History:
Drumming:
Martial Arts: Sensei Jones
Dance: