Yo! The Movement: May 2008

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Kick-it Spot: Bee Active Photos

This month the Kick-it Spot focused on "Beeing Active."
We wend on a bike ride all around the city. You may have seen us at the Arize Bookstore, Loring Park, or the 20 under 20 exhibit downtown MPLS! After the bike trip we went to the Dinkytowner for music and active festivities.

Max Haben, Young Son, and A.P. Classes rocked the house! There was also a surprise performance from our host, Hypel and poet Emgee!! We had an arm wrestling competition, Rap Twister, a communal rap about how we "bee active," planks and push up demonstration. All the sweat from the activities were wiped off with a Yo! The Movement golf towel.

Don't miss next months Kick-it Spot!

Friday, May 16, 2008

It's going down!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Bike Jones and Kick-it Spot!!!!

The EYS committee have planned double the amount of wilin' for you to get into this month!!

FIRST - BIKE JONES
We're going to be having another Bike Jones!!! For those who don't know, EYS has been putting on bike trips around Minneapolis just as a chance for youth to get together, have fun, and be active!

This month's Bike Jones will be beginning at noon at Lake of The Isles, we will bike from there to Loring Park and then we will end up at the Dinkytowner for the KICK-IT SPOT!

*We're looking to have a potluck so if possible, please bring some food.

SECOND - KICK-IT SPOT
This months Kick-it Spot's theme is BEE ACTIVE. There will be a SELF DEFENSE LESSON from the CIRCLE OF DISCIPLINE, a PUSH UP contest, pool tables, a plank competition, ARM WRESTLING, art projects, and of course live performances!

Performers include Indigo, Max Haben, Young Son, and AP Classes and our host Hypel will be keeping in live all evening.

It's $6 at the door ($5 with a student ID).

For any further information or if you have questions/comments or suggestions see your nearest EYS member. You can always call the office at 612.874.9696 or email alicia@yothemovement.org.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Hip Hop Fest Short

2008 Theme for 7th Annual Twin Cities Celebration of Hip Hop

WE HAVE A THEME FOR THE EVENT!

As decided by the youth on the planning committee, this years theme will officially be:

SPEAK EASY: Healthy Communication in Our Community.

There are four focus areas under this theme:

1. What is being communicated to us and how to we decipher it so it is not a detriment to our growth (Clear Channel, BET, Advertising - media)?

2. How do we communicate with each other (conflict resolution between peers, families, elders)?

3. How do we communicate ourselves (public speaking, art, music, non-verbal communication)?

4. How do we communicate with authority (police, administration, legislators) safely and efficiently so we can create changes we want to see in our communities?

Big ups to Jacob for hooking up the name and much respect to the youth who brought it all together! Nice work guys!

FRAME OF EVENT:
This year we have decided to have

Local and National performances
DJ/dance/MC/production battle
Workshops around theme to build our community
Video booth to capture participants ideas around theme over the weekend
Fashion Show
Live painting
Stencil T-shirt Project

If you still want to join in on a planning committee, let me know. We will make room - YOUR input is needed for you and your peers!! Make YOUR face, the face of Yo!

Who We Are

Yo! The Movement is a non-profit organization that focuses on youth organizing through hosting and implementing safe events, programs, and happenings for youth and young adults in Minnesota. We believe youth should have greater influence and genuine ownership in the programs intended to serve them.

Yo! The Movement is "youth organizing for POWER, PLACES, and PERKS."

POWER - Realizing your own personal power in relationship to the wider community and ability to create change.
PLACES - Creating and identifying safe spaces for youth.
PERKS - Providing opportunities for involvement in positive activities (stipends, elective credit, retreats, volunteer hours).

What We Do

Yo! PROGRAMS

EYS (Express YourSelf)
Yo! The Movement Teen Planning Group

EYS (ExpressYourSelf) is a hip hop based youth operated collective powered by Yo! The Movement committed to educate and motivate youth through the avenues of art, political activism, and open, honest, and active conversation to better perfect the social structures around them.

For 8 years the collective has met weekly to create and identify opportunities for teens to have a legitimate role in arts activities, civic engagement, and welcoming spaces for teens.

EYS plans and implements monthly Yo! shows (the Kick-it Spot @ The Dinkytowner Cafe) with local and upcoming artists, art projects, networking opportunities, and activities for them and their peers. They have also planned Bike Trips (Bike Jones), Visual Art Galleries, Open Mics, Citywide Talent Shows, collaborated with local organizations on community events, and planning of The Twin Cities Annual Celebration of Hip Hop.

Meeting for EYS are on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:00pm at the Yo! office. For more information contact alicia@yothemovement.org.

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Yo! Fellows
Yo! The Movement Teen Fellowship

Over the course of a year the Yo! Fellowship Program works to engage and educate 15 teens of color residing in North Minneapolis in the ares of education, health/wellness, employment, and arts/entertainment/music. We assess each students goals for self development and their goals for their community; through educational field trips/retreats, mentoring, and group discussions/lectures we move to reach each students individual goals and teach them how to maintain and share their experience with their peers and community.

EDUCATION
- Working directly with school administration and teachers to identify areas of need for students in our program.
- Identify post-secondary opportunities, visit colleges, and help fill out applications and scholarship forms. Lets make it happen!!
- Historical, cultural, identity trainings.
- Civic engagement, recognizing your power.

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC
- Field trips to events, conferences, museums, art centers.
- Participation in community arts projects.
- Planning events.

HEALTH/WELLNESS
- Physical activities/exercise.
- Sexual health education (STDs, knowing your body, teen pregnancy).
- Nutrition and healthy living education.

EMPLOYMENT
- Stipend opportunities for participation.
- Assistance in job searches, filing our applications, identifying references, and building resumes.
- Providing opportunities to join Yo! Staff.

We are currently taking applications for the Yo! Fellows Program!! Call 612.874.YOYO, or email alicia@yothemovement.org with questions and interest in participating this year.

Yo! The Movement