The summer 2019 Youth Media Lab allowed Cumberland residents to develop life skills and the ability to more effectively communicate with other people, and the teaching fellows were given valuable teaching experience. In the final episode of Stories from Cumberland, professors Vickery and Carter, the Youth Media Lab teaching fellows, staff and residents of Cumberland reflect on the summer 2019 Youth Media Lab.

Produced by Rob Upchurch for the UNT Department of Media Arts.

After learning about media literacy and production for two whole weeks (during their summer vacation, no less!) the residents of Cumberland got to show off their hard work at a special screening held at Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home. This red carpet event had it all – posters, a projector, and even snacks!

Afterwards, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for one of the residents testified to the newfound confidence and voice her appointee developed after working with the Youth Media Lab.

Produced by Rob Upchurch for the UNT Department of Media Arts.

One of the major outcomes the Youth Media Lab seeks is to enable young people from marginalized populations to advocate for themselves through media production.

Using the skills they were taught the week before, the Cumberland residents were broken into groups and given a week to produce their very own projects. There are no limits – except that they can’t show their faces – the story is theirs to tell!

Produced by Rob Upchurch for the UNT Department of Media Arts.