We need a projector, speakers, projector screen, for our film and music workshops. In addition, we need paint, paintbrushes, and masks for our painting workshops.
COLOR-Creatively Optimistic Leaders of Respect is led by a unique group of students who have different backgrounds and upbringings. Sara, Michael, Sarah W., Ezekiel, David, and Aalyah have put forth a lot of effort to create change in the culture of their school and community around them.
The students participated in the Aspen Challenge Competition, where they were challenged to create a solution to some of society's toughest issues. The COLOR group decided to create a solution where they can bring about tough conversations on race. This issue was prevalent in their school, therefore they were excited to get the chance to develop something that would impact their peers.
Academically, the students have learned to develop lessons where they are challenging their audience to think critically about different topics through the use of art and film. Students developed their own lessons and discussion questions to help guide the conversations. The students have also gained public speaking and facilitation skills because they are leading the workshops. The conversations they create through their workshops provide an outlet for their audience to speak out and have learned ways they can solve real-world problems because of the workshops they created.
In Their Own Words
Our project idea is to create the Creatively Optimistic Leaders Of Respect or COLOR. COLOR will use art as a platform for comfortable and accessible discussions about the difficult issue of race and identity. Through painting, film, music, and literature workshops we will raise awareness of stereotypes and identity acceptance both in GW High School and the Denver community. We need a projector, speakers, projector screen, for our film and music workshops. In addition, we need paint, paintbrushes, and masks for our painting workshops.
We will be leaders in bringing this project to life by designing the workshops we lead ourselves. We plan to work with other students, teachers, and other professionals to lead the community to a more hopeful and equal future. However, our teachers will be important for consulting in measuring our effectiveness and success, for reaching out to other professionals and schools in the community, and finally for helping us design successful workshops.
This project is important to the George Washington community as we have a history of segregating academic programs based on a person's socioeconomic background. The Advance Placement, Honors, and specifically International Baccalaureate programs are predominantly white. COLOR aspires to promote equality in our school so to not only provide equal academic opportunity for students but to unite the school as a whole. We hope, that our work spreads beyond the walls of GW and into other schools.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Richason and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
