Big News at Humanities amped!

Announcing our new building!

On Nov. 6th, the keys to 4385 Government Street were handed over to the leaders of four Baton Rouge youth organizations who together represent a newly formed Youth Coalition: Humanities Amped, Front Yard Bikes, Big Buddy Program, and Line 4 Line.

The coalition’s purpose is to provide a vibrant shared space where Baton Rouge youth have access to a network of relationships and opportunities grounded in the worth and power of young people to realize themselves and transform their communities. An open house for the public will take place as part of White Light Night on November 20th.   

Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation provided the initial $250K in funding through an “Angels of Change Award” intended to support past BCBS honorees to collaborate on solving issues for Louisiana’s children. This award will support the renovation and development of the space.

The coalition plans to provide a range of programming at the center, including a community-owned bike shop (Front Yard Bikes), a full-service salon where youth receive hands-on training in barbering and beauty techniques, a Community Reading Room (Line4Line), and youth workforce experiences and skill development workshops (Big Buddy Program). This exciting move to a building will provide Humanities Amped with a dedicated space for Amped Studio Afterschool, tutoring and healing circles, WordCrew spoken word poetry, Fresh Heat Open Mics, youth civic engagement projects and conferences, Dreamkeepers college and career readiness, and array of training for educators, youth workers and peer leaders.

We cannot wait to see what this space makes possible for Baton Rouge youth!

TEACHER CARE DELIVERY DAY

Last month Humanities Amped staff surprised our teachers with care packages filled with gift cards to local businesses, a Humanities Amped t-shirt and mask, and a hot lunch courtesy of Memphis Mac BBQ. At Humanities Amped, we believe that teacher well-being matters! 

In response to the teachers' expressed needs, Humanities Amped staff also delivered cleaning supplies to support our teachers in doing what they can to keep their classrooms safe.

Board members Carlos Thomas, Megan Sheehan-Dean, and Andrew Kuo helped make the day a success. 

We would like to extend a special thank you to Memphis Mac, Mid City Beer Garden, Vegan Friendly Foods, The Joint Chiropractic, Costco, Lowe's, and Elsie's Plate and Pie for their donations! ​

Day of Dialogue on Race & Education

Join us on November 13 for this online event featuring three panels and dialogues on the critical intersection of race and education. Three separate panels will feature local education experts. Each panel will be followed by dialogues with groups of teachers, students, educational leaders, and community members. Choose to attend the full day of panels with opening and closing plenaries or select the panels you wish to attend.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Lisa Delpit, Dr. Press Robinson, and Dr. Jose Aviles as panelists. See the full program schedule below or here.  ​​

This event is co-sponsored by Dialogue on Race Louisiana, Humanities Amped, and Serve Louisiana, and registration is open now: in order for educators and students to attend this event for free, we are asking for a $5 donation from anyone who is able.

​Listen, learn, and join the dialogue!