At the S.I.T. Foundation, we believe that connection is the key to growth. Real change happens when young people are given tools to express themselves, feel safe, and discover that their voices matter. That belief came to life when we led a two day songwriting workshop for the Princess Empowerment & Boyz II Men program, followed by a one day CD release celebration.
This program, led in the community by Tracey Oakman, is an arts infused empowerment initiative that gives kids opportunities they might not otherwise experience. When Tracey asked us to bring songwriting into the mix, we saw it as a perfect way to blend creativity with personal growth. Music reaches kids in ways regular conversation sometimes cannot. It gives them permission to speak, to laugh, to feel, and to connect.
On the first day, S.I.T. Foundation founder Bobbie led an hour long course on using your voice and how to express feelings in healthy and creative ways. After that introduction, the children broke into groups with musicians who guided them through writing their own original songs. By the end of the day, every group had created lyrics and melodies that reflected their own voices and stories.
On the second day, the young songwriters came together in the studio to record their songs. With guidance and encouragement, they experienced what it feels like to bring an idea to life and capture it as music.
The experience concluded with a community CD release party where the kids proudly performed their music in front of family and friends. Thanks to the recording and production work of Tamel Bailey, their songs were captured on the album Empowering Voices Through Music, now available on Bandcamp. The CD can be purchased there, with proceeds directly supporting more efforts of the Princess Empowerment & Boyz II Men program.
This project mattered because it was more than music. It was empowerment. Every lyric and melody showed these kids that their voices are powerful and that collaboration creates community. It gave them the confidence to stand up, share, and be proud of what they created together.
The Princess Empowerment & Boyz II Men program is proof that when art and mentorship come together, young people thrive. At the S.I.T. Foundation, we are proud to collaborate on programs like this, programs that plant roots, branch out, and bear fruit in the form of real change.
Musicians who helped make this possible include:
Jean Boiteau
Austin Eubanks
Philip Thomas
Kyle Zalusky
Bobbie Gail
Sound Engineer:
Tamel Bailey
Vocal Support/Breath Coach:
Margery Bailey
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