Cincy Youth Productions

07/05/2026

The Girl History Buried Before Rosa Parks

At just 15 years old, Claudette Colvin did something most adults were too terrified to do.

In 1955, on a segregated bus in Montgomery, she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger.

Police dragged her off the bus.
They handcuffed her.
They treated a teenage Black girl like a criminal for demanding basic human dignity.

This happened 9 months before Rosa Parks made history.

But while Rosa Parks became a global symbol of resistance, Claudette Colvin was pushed into the shadows.

Why?

Many historians believe civil rights leaders feared America would not rally behind a dark-skinned pregnant teenager from a poor background. So the movement chose someone they believed the public would accept more easily.

That uncomfortable truth reveals something deeper:
History is not only about courage.
It is also about image, politics, and who society decides is “worthy” of being remembered.

Yet Claudette’s bravery helped spark the legal battle that eventually ended bus segregation in America.

She was never supposed to disappear from history.
But she almost did.

Follow .echo for more powerful African history and untold stories.

And support the movement by getting our debut book, 20 African Wonder Women That Changed History — because too many heroes were erased before the world learned their names.

Source: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, Montgomery Bus Boycott

07/03/2026

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

On the left, we see young Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) at UCLA with the legendary Coach John Wooden. Coach Wooden's famous 'Pyramid of Success' was a framework for building character, emphasizing industriousness and integrity. On the right, we see them decades later, holding hands. The deep respect is palpable.
Kareem went on to become one of the most intellectually curious and socially active athletes in history, credits Coach Wooden with instilling the values of education and moral clarity that defined his path. Wooden was not just a basketball coach; he was a teacher of life. This relationship is a rare, documented example of a true mentorship spanning from youth into elderhood, and it serves as an inspiring reminder that the most important lessons are often the ones taught off the court. We must honor the legacies of these transformative leaders.

06/10/2026

Stay Forever Young. Only the miserable scream at children to grow up. We are "old" longer than youth, so have fun, dream big, just remember you have a reputation to defend as well as your character. Making other people (random people) to laugh or smile, stay at it!

06/10/2026

James Baldwin didn't just write. He warned us.

He said children don't listen to their elders — they watch them. Every war we normalize. Every injustice we tolerate in silence. Every compromise we make with dignity — our children are recording it all.

Baldwin understood that culture is not transferred through words. It is transferred through behavior. What we do shapes the next generation far more than what we say.

The question is not what we are teaching our children. The question is what we are showing them.

What are they learning from watching you?

Follow .echo for more African and global stories they don't teach you.

References:
- Baldwin, J. (1963). *The Fire Next Time.* Dial Press.
- Leeming, D. (1994). *James Baldwin: A Biography.* Knopf.

05/31/2026

05/23/2026

Where Do You Want Your Voice To Be Heard?

At cYp Cincinnati, we believe every young person already has a powerful voice. The real question is not, “Do you have a voice?” The question is, “Where do you want your voice to be heard?”

Too often, youth are told to “speak up” without being given real spaces where their words matter. When young people know their voice will shape decisions, they show up differently. They lean in more, lead more, and believe more deeply that they belong.

The question that changes everything

“Where do you want your voice to be heard?” is a question that shifts the focus from adults to youth. Instead of us deciding where the youth should speak, we invite the youth to choose.

A young person might say:

- “In my school, so kids like me are treated fairly.”
- “At home, so my family understands how I really feel.”
- “In my city, so leaders listen to youth about what’s happening in our neighborhoods.”
- “Online, so I can use my creativity and story to inspire people.”

When a teen names the places they want their voice to show up, they’re beginning to design their own leadership journey.

From question to action

Once a young person answers that question, the next step is helping them practice using their voice in that specific place.

That might look like:

- Writing and delivering a short speech or spoken word piece
- Sharing a story at a youth conclave or community event
- Leading a discussion or activity with their peers
- Meeting with a teacher, principal, or community leader to share ideas
- Creating content, videos, art, music, or podcasts that reflect their truth.

Our role as adults is not to speak for them, but to clear the path, build the skills, and then step back enough for their voice to be heard.

Why this matters for our city

When youth voice is amplified, schools become more responsive, neighborhoods become more connected, and community decisions become more just. Young people see problems we miss and imagine solutions we haven’t thought of yet.

In a city like ours, we can’t afford for youth to be silent. We need their questions, their ideas, their courage, and their innovation and creativity at the table.

A question for you

If you’re a young person reading this, I want to ask you directly:

Where do you want your voice to be heard this year?

Once you know your answer, we’re here to walk with you as you learn to speak, lead, and make change.

At cYp Cincinnati, our slogan is simple: "Amplify Your Voice." But behind those three words is this deeper invitation: Your voice matters. You belong at the table. And we can’t build the future without you.