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A group of young writers ranging from ages 15-26, joined Blue Future from across the country, and even overseas, for its inaugural, ‘Write Yourselves Into History’ writing program. The program’s participants engaged in bi-weekly Zoom workshops to strengthen their storytelling skills about issues that matter most to them. So far, a total of 15+ stories will be published by our youth contributors.
Once a month, the program participants met as a team to discuss trending news topics the potential story ideas they wished to write about. Additionally, the program included training sessions regarding the writing process, pitching one’s story to a publication, and how to use writing for advocacy on behalf of progressive issues. Guest speakers included young professionals with experiences in freelance journalism, political communications, and issue-focused writing. Guests spoke with our youth contributors about their own experiences as young writers, suggestions for practicing one’s writing, and communicating with publications. The contact information for each speaker and additional resources shared by them were made available to all youth contributors to add to their writing toolkits and their professional networks.
In addition to bi-weekly discussions and training, our youth contributors completed monthly writing assignments to strengthen their writing and editing skills, leverage their unique perspectives regarding trending political and social issues happening in communities across the country and publish their work. Our group of youth contributors submitted articles on various topics impacting young people today including, the impacts of COVID-19 on young workers and students, redistricting and civic engagement among young voters, the crisis of student loan debt, and more. These articles continue to be published on the Blue Future Medium, LinkedIn, and social media channels and inspire Blue Future’s audiences about the power of their voice and encourage more young people to write themselves into history!
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Young people across the world lead movements, organizations, companies, and so much more. Even during the height of the pandemic, young people went out into the world to continue working and helping our communities in need. Young people also made waves in the 2020 Presidential Elections and the run-off election in Georgia, breaking history with the highest voter turnout in years!
Through historical events and climate change, young people have seen the world change right before their eyes, and yet, these stories are rare to find. Our stories, the experiences we’ve had, matter. These experiences shape us and can inspire future leaders when we can share these stories. Young people deserve to have a space where they can share voices on the issues affecting us, engage others in the conversation, and build a community with motivated people to create change.
Now is the time to Write Ourselves into History!
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PROGRAM
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Become a Youth Contributor and write yourself into history by sharing your stories on the issues affecting us now like the climate crisis, women’s rights, racial justice and more.
The “Writing Ourselves into History” program is a 10-week storytelling and journalism program designed to provide a platform for young people, especially queer people, BIPOC communities, women, and people with disabilities to share their experiences through storytelling.
You will have the opportunity to build community with other motivated youth leaders and establish an online platform for youth voices. Youth Contributors will also have access to professional and leadership development workshops that will prepare you for any future career move.
Consider joining us to write yourself into history!
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APPLYING
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ELIGIBILITY
Any young person (ages 15-26) who is interested in writing about political issues and becoming become a storyteller of our generation.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application here!
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TIMELINE
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September 15th: Application launches.
September 15-September 27: Applications reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
October 5-December 9: Two developmental trainings a month in which cohort members will receive skills for effective storytelling.
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