Country of Residence
United States
Age
15
Project title
Culture in Motion: Youth Arts, Shared Stories, Stronger Communities
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Culture in Motion is a youth-led initiative that uses dance, music, storytelling, and creative collaboration to strengthen cultural understanding and civic participation. Culture in Motion puts young people in the driver's seat—as artists, organizers, storytellers, and civic leaders. Our vision is a community where cultural differences are celebrated, young voices shape local solutions, and the arts help people turn understanding into action.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
As a volunteer with the Philippine Performing Arts Company (PPAC), I have seen how dance, music, and cultural storytelling can preserve traditions, celebrate our heritage, and connect people across generations. Through my experience as an Asian Youth Ambassador with the Tampa Bay Mayor’s Council, I have also learned the importance of representation and using my voice to help build a more inclusive community. My background in ballroom dancing has taught me that movement is a universal language. Even when people come from different backgrounds, they can find rhythm, connection, and common ground together. Growing up in a mixed-race family has made this mission especially personal to me. I understand that identity can be beautifully complex, and that belonging should never mean having to choose one part of yourself over another. I want young people to feel proud of who they are, curious about the experiences of others, and empowered to celebrate our differences rather than allow them to divide us. Being recognized as a Martin Luther King leadership awardee has further inspired me to think about what leadership truly means. Dr. King’s legacy reminds me that building a more just and inclusive world requires more than good intentions. It requires courage, service, empathy, and action.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
The problem I am trying to solve is breaking down cultural biases through storytelling through the arts. This is important to me being someone privileged to live between two worlds - as a Filipino-American with an immigrant mother. My volunteer work with the Philippine Performing Arts Company has shown me the power of inclusiveness and building a community. I also hope to solve the lack of meaningful connection among youths as we live in a more disconnected, AI-driven, digital world. It's important to foster a sense of community so the youth can have opportunities to build bridges among each other, share live experiences and build a connection that lasts even beyond the event.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
I will start by establishing a youth steering council of 6–10 young leaders, including youth from multiple cultural backgrounds. Assign real responsibilities for community research, artistic programming, outreach, budgeting, event production, and impact measurement. I plan to combine live performance with interactive cultural learning, youth-produced digital storytelling, cross-cultural artistic collaboration, and a community action challenge. The distinctive feature is that every cultural exchange leads to a conversation about belonging and a practical opportunity to contribute—not just applause at the end of a performance. One of the end goals is to show how youth leaders will train future participants, share a reusable project toolkit, and continue the program through schools, arts organizations, and community partners.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
My vision in measuring our impact is to see the following outcomes: At least 75% of surveyed participants report greater understanding of, or connection to, people from different cultural backgrounds. At least 70% of participating youth report meeting someone from a different cultural background or identifying a new opportunity to participate in community life. Complete one community-selected action project with a documented outcome. Publish one free, youth-created digital culture and civic engagement toolkit. Establish at least two continuing partnerships or commitments to repeat the program.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
Many communities celebrate cultural diversity through festivals and performances, but these events do not always create sustained relationships between residents or give young people meaningful opportunities to influence their communities. Culture in Motion is an innovative program because it would address three connected challenges: - Cultural understanding: Create opportunities for residents to learn directly from young people representing different backgrounds. - Youth civic participation: Give young people practical experience in listening to others, identifying community needs, organizing collaborative activities, and leading projects. - Community connection: Build relationships that continue beyond a single festival, performance, or heritage celebration.
How many people are on your team?
10
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
My role is to be the project manager; however, it will be a shared responsibility with my team members. For example, some of the roles I envision include: Lead in Community Outreach Lead in Program Logistics Lead in Youth Recruitment Lead in Social Media & Marketing Lead in Promotional Design
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
In the next three months, I plan to conduct short interviews and listening sessions with fellow youths and students, families, local artists, and community groups. I want to ask what helps people feel included, what divides communities, and what would make local cultural activities more welcoming.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I plan to use my own youth network through the Philippine Performing Arts Company and as the Youth Asian Ambassador to start planting the idea of Culture in Motion in order to encourage a stronger youth and community participation. Because I am privilege to also have a strong dance community around me being part of two dance ballroom studios, the Fred Astaire and Dance Ballroom Excellence, I can further leverage these studios to help spread the word. In addition, as an active volunteer of the Filipino-American community, I plan to tap organization members of the Philippine Cultural Foundation Inc. to help support the project. I also intend to use social media to start youth-led conversations around this initiative and drive awareness regarding this project.
