Ahshay Center

Ahshay Center We are AHSHAY (Allies in Healthier Systems for Health and Abundance in Youth). Saying AHSHAY celebrates community and the power of collective action.

03/17/2026

The Storybook Project has officially kicked off, and stories are already coming to life.

Young writers are busy storyboarding, world-building, pitching their concepts, and learning from younger kids whose creativity knows no limits. Hear what they have to say in their own words:

Thanks to our partners Worldreader , Young Authors Publishing , ACE Academy and GSBA

Meet one of the incredible partners making the Storybook Project possible. We're proud to introduce our publishing partn...
03/05/2026

Meet one of the incredible partners making the Storybook Project possible.

We're proud to introduce our publishing partner: Young Authors Publishing (YAP), led by founder Leah Hernandez.

YAP is a children's and young adult publisher with a mission close to our own: amplifying diverse voices and empowering young authors to tell their stories. Leah brings firsthand experience working with youth in detention centers in Atlanta, making her one of the most authentic partners we could ask for.

A 2024 Anthem Award Gold Winner, YAP has the recognition to match their impact.

Together, we're putting the stories of youth impacted by systemic injustice into the hands of readers worldwide.

03/02/2026

"When you do fund these spaces, we're going to see less youth incarcerated. We're going to see more youth in schools. We're going to see more youth in trade programs, [and in] higher education."

As a teen, Rashan spent time in juvenile detention. Today, he runs Shifted Theory —a community space that shows what’s possible when we invest in youth potential, juvenile justice involvement prevention, and support instead of punishment.

Special thanks to Rashan and Shifted Theory.

Every child deserves to see their world and experiences reflected in the stories they read. For over 15 years, Worldread...
02/25/2026

Every child deserves to see their world and experiences reflected in the stories they read. For over 15 years, Worldreader has been making this vision a reality—which is why we’re proud to partner with them on the Storybook Project.

Worldreader, a global tech nonprofit, connects over 250,000 readers around the world to free, culturally relevant books through its BookSmart app. Once The Belonging Collection is complete, these stories will be available on the BookSmart app for children everywhere to explore and enjoy.

Download the BookSmart app today 👉

Google app store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.worldreader.readtokids&hl=en_US

Apple app store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/booksmart-by-worldreader/id1629873557

Poet. Author. Educator. Facilitator. Reagan Jackson wears many hats — and she's bringing all of them to the Storybook Pr...
02/20/2026

Poet. Author. Educator. Facilitator. Reagan Jackson wears many hats — and she's bringing all of them to the Storybook Project.
​
Reagan is one of the two authors joining us to guide youth through the writing process as they craft The Belonging Collection.

An international educator dedicated to creating spaces for Black women, Reagan is the award-winning author of “Still True: The Evolution of an Unexpected Journalist,” three poetry collections, and two children's books. Her writing has appeared in the South Seattle Emerald, the Seattle Globalist, Yes! Magazine, and Crosscut.

Her expertise, creativity, and commitment to community make her an incredible addition to this project. We can't wait to see the stories that unfold.

Meet one of the authors who will help bring youth voices to life for The Storybook Project. Jodi-Ann Burey is a writer, ...
02/19/2026

Meet one of the authors who will help bring youth voices to life for The Storybook Project.

Jodi-Ann Burey is a writer, speaker, and critic known for her exploration of race, culture, and health equity. She is the author of “Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work,” and has essays featured across major arts, business, and literary publications.

Now, she's bringing her craft and conviction to our youth. As one of the Storybook Project's authors, Jodi-Ann will guide young people through the writing process, helping them transform their experiences into powerful stories for the world to read.

This is going to be something special.

What if the stories that shaped a child's sense of belonging were written by young people who truly understand that jour...
02/18/2026

What if the stories that shaped a child's sense of belonging were written by young people who truly understand that journey?

This month, we're thrilled to launch the Storybook Project — a partnership with Worldreader, ACE Academy and GSBA that puts the pen in the hands of youth impacted by systemic injustice and with proximities to various traumas.

Through the Storybook Project, young people will work alongside children's book authors to write their own children's book, building skills along the way. Their work will become The Belonging Collection — a series of original children's books about home, community, and connection, distributed globally through WorldReader's BookSmart app.

Every young person has a story worth telling—and we can’t wait to share these stories with you.

02/16/2026

"I'm not defined by what I did when I was 13. I'm defined by who I'm becoming."

All children deserve more than a one-size-fits-all justice system. Kara's story is proof of what's possible when we lead with community support instead of punishment.

Listen to Kara in her own words:

02/13/2026

What happens when the language we speak doesn't have words for what we're currently living through?

Dr. Ben Danielson explores how other languages can help us express what English can't—and help us recalibrate our ability to appreciate the world.

When enforcement operations destabilize our communities, the impact can ripple through in countless ways. From workers t...
01/23/2026

When enforcement operations destabilize our communities, the impact can ripple through in countless ways. From workers to caregivers and mutual aid responders, our neighbors are being asked to function under conditions that trigger stress responses.

Cities United's new toolkit offers practical, trauma-informed strategies that support psychological safety for the people working to keep our communities safe.

Read it and share it 👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/17iwPKu0djaqON1GPW8OD1Ncow4kIDqAU/view

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