Our Mission
LitiArts affirms the identities of youth of color and supports their well-being by offering accessible literacy, arts education, and mentorship throughout their educational journeys.
“Why Literacy & the Arts?”
Most schools were not designed with students of color identities in mind.
This often negatively impacts the identities, well-being, and life trajectories of students of color. These impacts are primarily enacted through educational policies, school curricula, and school culture.
LitiArts aims to tackle the racial, social, emotional, and class-based challenges faced by students of color by providing support that goes beyond academics. Taking a more-than-academic approach is essential to meeting their unique needs. We integrate literacy, arts education, and mentorship to ensure that the educational experiences of students of color do not undermine their identities and well-being. Literacy and the arts are particularly beneficial for students of color as they engage both the body and mind to work through challenges that cannot be resolved solely through academic means academically.
Our approach—educationally-just, anti-racist, artistic, and student-centered—sustains students' identities, supports their well-being, and prepares them to move forward boldly.
LitiArts believes in the power of literacy, the arts, and mentorship to address the systemic inequities in school and society.
Our Values
YOUTH & COMMUNITY VOICE
We listen to, honor, and center students’ and community members’ voices. We are responsive to and integrate their voices, knowledge, and perspectives into all aspects of our programming and partnerships.
MUTUALLY RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS
We are committed to developing mutually reciprocal relationships. These relationships allow us to navigate potential challenges and make decisions
with youth and communities that we serve.
IDENTITY
We recognize, affirm, and honor students’ identities in the schooling experience. We design and deliver programs and mentorship that affirm and sustain students’ identities.
YOUTH & COMMUNITY VOICE
We listen to, honor, and center students’ and community members’ voices. We are responsive to and integrate their voices, knowledge, and perspectives into all aspects of our programming and partnerships.
Our Partners
