We Are Family Foundation

“THE CREATIVES” ✊ We Are Family Foundation is honored to introduce “The Creatives” — the newest #YouthToTheFrontFund Frontliners representing 26 countries on 5 continents and 9 states in the United States. “The Creatives” encompass 25 artivists, collectives, cultural storytellers and creative organizers who use their voice and the power of art to address systemic injustice and shift narratives in local and global communities. “The Creatives” were introduced in a 30-second Art Ad airing on NBCUniversal’s Saturday Night Live. Directed by Michael Holman, acclaimed filmmaker and Jean-Michel Basquiat collaborator, this intergenerational video spans generations of creatives, featuring Nile Rodgers Productions’ chart-topping hit “Unforgiven” with K-Pop stars LE SSERAFIM. “The Creatives” employ diverse artistic mediums as storytelling practices and justice-driven projects honoring Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities around the world. They are: → Creating safe spaces for marginalized and underrepresented communities → Spearheading education equity, community engagement and freedom of speech → Advocating for LGBTQIA+, climate, arts, gender, social justice — and more Discover “The Creatives” here: https://lnkd.in/efhkAtDe #WeAreFamily

May 2024 Opportunities for Young Changemakers & Youth Leaders 👇 Opportunity: Celebrating its 10th year, The Waislitz Global Citizen Awards offer $250,000 in prizes to those fighting extreme poverty. With a grand prize of $100,000 and two $75,000 prizes, these awards are presented by the Waislitz Foundation and Global Citizen. Eligibility: Anyone aged 18+ from anywhere in the world Deadline: June 3, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/eu5DnpG7 Opportunity: Global Youth Summit 2024 by Global Changemakers is a fully funded experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from October 21-25, 2024! This summit invites young leaders from around the world to join for a week of skills development, networking and capacity building. Eligibility: Changemakers aged 21-29 from any country. Deadline: May 26, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/dpSRtkzN Opportunity: The Refugee-led Innovation Fund by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is open for applications from refugee-led organizations worldwide! Championing the creativity of displaced and stateless people, this fund empowers them to lead humanitarian efforts and design innovative solutions. Eligibility: Organizations led by refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, returnees, and stateless individuals. Deadline: May 31, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/d9nuYHDg  Source: Pooja Tilvawala Opportunity: The FXB International Climate Advocates program informs, empowers, and mobilizes youth to implement climate solutions. Attend virtual climate education sessions and learn from experts from top institutions like Harvard University, New York University, Project Drawdown, and Citizens' Climate Lobby. Eligibility: Youth 25 or under in 2024, with a commitment of 3 hours a week, English proficiency, a laptop/device, reliable internet, and an interest in climate action. Deadline: June 10, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/esYpxR5T  Source: Pooja Tilvawala Opportunity: Calling all artists, designers and creatives passionate about sparking societal change! Unleash your talent to tackle the climate crisis with a powerful poster, with a chance at a 1000 € cash prize, from Icarus Complex Magazine. Eligibility: Anyone driven by creativity and passion for societal change. Deadline: June 15, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/eXBQCQuc  Source: Pooja Tilvawala #WeAreFamily: Any other opportunities that all our changemaking youth leaders should know about? Drop the info here! 👇

History in the making: 40% youth voices at the UN Civil Society Conference! 🌍 Our #YouthToTheTable journey takes a bold step forward as WAFF Youth Delegates Andile Mnguni, Meshack Otieno and Ivone Wango represented the voices of young people at the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference (UNCSC) Planning Session in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 9-10, 2024. #2024UNCSC Meshack shared, “What a privilege to have been part of the young people from Global South who vehemently pressed for policies and Guiding Principles in the impact coalition that will open opportunities for the informal communities I represent. I am grateful to We Are Family Foundation for supporting me to be part of the Historic 69th UNCSC.” “Attending the UNCSC reinforced my belief in the need for prioritizing youth involvement in all levels of planning and preparation for our future,” reflected Pamela. “As the Swahili proverb goes, ‘ujana ni moshi, ukienda haurudi.’ (‘Youthfulness is like smoke ever fading. Now you have it, now you don’t.’) While we have it, it is our mandate to ensure we secure a bright and inclusive future for the people that will come after us!” “At the Civil Society Conference, there were minimal hierarchy barriers, be it through badges or exclusive access areas,” Andile added. “I naturally found myself interacting with UN officials and Member State representatives on an equal footing, which limited any bias on my expertise. Despite having a seat at the table, asserting myself was necessary to ensure my voice was heard, a reminder of the ongoing responsibility we hold as youth at the table.” #WeAreFamily

Day 2 of the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference — and WAFF Youth Delegates Ivone Wango, Meshack Otieno and Andile Mnguni are continuing to take seats at the planning session’s decision-making tables! Follow their journeys on the ground on @wearefamilyfdtn Instagram Story & DM us for collaboration opportunities!

Our #YouthToTheTable journey continues! 🌍 WAFF Youth Delegates Andile Mnguni, Meshack Otieno & Ivone Wango are representing the voices of young people worldwide at the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference Planning Session in Nairobi, Kenya. Per Maher Nasser, Co-Chair of the Planning Committee of the 2024 Civil Society Conference, “40% youth, 3,600 civil societies and 70% Africans” are in attendance at this year’s session. 💌 DM us if you’re at the conference and would like to collaborate with our delegates! #WeAreFamily

As the world prepares for September's Summit of the Future, where leaders will forge a new pact for global solutions, the United Nations Civil Society Conference in Nairobi sets the stage. WAFF has sent three delegates to represent youth perspective: Andile Mnguni, Meshack Otieno & Ivone Wango. More updates from the ground! DM us if you’re in town!

Youth empowerment is revolutionary. Join WAFF Co-Founders Nancy Hunt and Nile Rodgers Productions as they share our journey and vision for a sustainable future with The Last Mile in the latest episode out now. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/etnjwGZq

We’re just getting started… In 2023, our We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) Youth Delegates made waves in decision-making rooms worldwide — from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) to the @UN Climate Change Conference (COP28 UAE) and the World Economic Forum (WEF24). This year, we're gearing up for another round — and extending the invitation to more Global Teen Leader AND Frontliner Alumni to join us. Youth To The Table applications will open soon! For those beyond our current WAFF community: While it's true that Youth To The Table applications will be reserved exclusively for existing Alumni this year, we still want you to be part of this collective journey. Planning to attend one of these major events as a changemaker or organizer? Connect with us and let’s work together! Or perhaps you are a young person with aspirations to join such global gatherings someday? Keep following our journey! We want to stay in touch as we continue growing this program and its impact… Plus, we may have some other exciting programming updates soon to come 👀. Here's to a year of momentum, building upon our progress to ensure that the future is shaped by the voices of ALL generations! *** Voiceover credits: Neha Shukla & Erin S., WAFF Youth Delegates, interviewed by Acumen Media at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) Footage credits: Acumen Media, Stefano Castro, Three Dot Dash Archive Footage

#GoodNewsUpdate: From the screens of social media to the stage of the Kelly Clarkson Show, Youth To The Front Fund Frontliner Joel Bervell’s journey as the 'Medical Mythbuster' has been nothing short of remarkable. For Joel, fighting health disparities in medicine is a daily commitment, and his work has led him to create hundreds of informative videos that have amassed over 1 million followers across social media and 300 million+ impressions. He shines a light on why racial disparities persist and challenges the status quo, one video at a time.
 In May of last year, Joel received a message from a woman named Annice. In her DM, she shared how one of his videos about the racially biased Glomerular Filtration Rate equation changed her sister's life. By challenging assumptions in healthcare, Annice's sister moved up 5 years on the Kidney transplant list, receiving a life-saving transplant just weeks ago! Joel's journey speaks to the power of one voice advocating for change, because healthcare should be accurate, inclusive and accessible for all.

April 2024 Opportunities for Young Changemakers & Youth Leaders 👇 Opportunity: Are you a high school student passionate about environmental conservation? The Leadership Collective assists financially disadvantaged high school students in attending a transformative program in India. Through this experience, students develop global citizenship and leadership abilities. (Source: Priyanka Shrestha, WAFF Alum) Eligibility: High school students, ages 15-18, applicants from all around the world Deadline: April 30, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/eiRdguYe Opportunity: Apply for the National Geographic Society & The Nature Conservancy Marine and Community Conservation Remote Externship. Explore marine conservation, engage in investigative research and more! (Source: Priyanka Shrestha, WAFF Alum) Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate students from all around the world Deadline: May 6, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/ePAkDG3t Opportunity: Do you work in the mental health space? Being Initiative is funding bold prevention and promotion ideas that address the early drivers of mental health and wellbeing for the most underserved young people aged 10- to 24 in Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Vietnam. (Source: Connective Impact) Eligibility: Organizations based in the priority countries Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis Apply: https://lnkd.in/eF6qfFaM Opportunity: Are you a video journalist interested in capturing the effects of climate change? In Old News and the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) are offering journalists $500-$1000 to capture the effects of and solutions to climate change, like rising sea levels, extreme weather, renewable energy and more. Eligibility: Video journalists worldwide Deadline: April 30, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/exExrNie Opportunity: The Eisner Prize Fellowship is a new program designed to support leaders pioneering innovations in intergenerational connection. Eisner Prize Fellowships will be awarded to 3-5 leaders in the intergenerational space, and each Fellow will receive a total of $50,000: a $10,000 stipend, and $40,000 to be used toward their particular intergenerational initiative. Eligibility: Young people, people of color and those working with historically marginalized communities are particularly encouraged to apply Deadline: May 22, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/gPjxz_Xc #WeAreFamily: Any other opportunities that all our changemaking youth leaders should know about? Drop the info here! 👇