Young Women's Leadership Training Group

The Staten Island Urban Center's Young Women's Leadership Training Group is a youth development program focused on learning about leadership through the arts. We incorporate college and career readiness, cultural exploration, gender studies and social activism into leadership training while using the arts and music as mediums of expression. 

Young Womens Leadership Group launches ReSistah Radio, a 2 hour show youth-produced broadcast on grassroots MakerPark Radio in March 2019.

Click for ReSistah Radio

Our Urban Town Youth Writing Investigators

In 2017, Ashley Davis 17 and Faysyntheia Sims 16 - both SIUC Youth Artrepreneurs were selected as one of the youngest artists to participate in the 100 Gates Project in NYC.

Youth leaders Naysha and Nya preparing architectural rendering made of recycled materials to illustrate need for public open space for youth

Staten Island Urban Center youth leaders lead participatory dance fitness exhibition with children at health fair in the park

SI Urban Center Youth Leaders helping paint the community mural project with Projectivity and other community members

Staten Island Urban Center youth leaders hiking through the Conference House Park on the way to their greenhouse project

Youth Development through Art and Action

Supporting young people
in the time of COVID 19

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Imam Zulqarnain Abdu Shahid, President of Baitul Jamaat - House of Community leading the SI Urban Center Youth through the Drum Circle therapy

The Staten Island Urban Center's Express Yourself Youth Studio Sessions  lead youth to discover their own voices through writing music, poetry and spoken word. In 2017 we partnered with Lyric Lab, Projectivity Movement and Brighton Heights Reformed Church and were able to produce a performance series that included presentations with videos, self produced graphics and recorded works.
Below is a self produced video & lyrics  by 13 year old Tysen Metcalf called I Wish

Cromwell at the MERC Symposium Nautical Knot-Tying with Boy Scouts

Ania Nixon, SI Urban Center Intern poses with her parents in front of her artwork being displayed at the Staten Island Museum apart of the Altered Books Exhibit

SI Urban Center Youth Leaders take a tour a photo during their hike through the Mariners Marsh Park (MMP) January 2023

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Simi Nodrot - Our SIUC Youth Intern

​Youth Leadership Development:
Youth Social Justice, Enrichment & Collaboration
Youth Leadership Development is at the core of the future.  We are developing youth leaders by exposing and involving them in doing good works, creating positive change in communities and schools, exploring a larger world outside of Staten Island, the city and country, understanding history and using discovery as a seed for building leadership. The Staten Island Urban Center has been a catalyst in creating an agenda for the north shore community on youth. 

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November 2022 SI Urban Center Youth Leaders take part in the It Takes Green to Build a Greenway walk and rally to advocate for the North Shore Waterfront!

SI Urban Center Youth participate at the NYC Climate, Jobs, and Justice Campaign Launch with NY Renews at Union Square on Nov 16 2022

Advocating for more resources needed for the community

Jareth, SI Urban Center Jr Staff assisting members of the community to sign up to receive services and resources from the community.

​Since 2015, we have been advocates helping to bring resources to Staten Island such as the Youth Build program and the New York Harbor Middle School. We continue to advocate for other unique resources that expose young people to opportunities that help make a difference not only in their own lives, but also in their communities. 

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Ayven, SI Urban Center Intern performing his poems to the public during the open mic segment at It's My Park Day event in Tompkinsville Park

First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray with Our Urban Town Youth Writer Nafiul Bahri & Kelly Vilar