More Than a Number: Youth Voices in Democracy

Join award winning poet, author, & professor Randall Horton for an interactive youth workshop series for teens on juvenile civic education & artistic expression on May 20th, 2026 and June 10th, 2026. Enjoy light refreshments and thoughtful discussion!
The first workshop on May 20th explores the justice system through a civic lens, including Connecticut’s Juvenile Review Boards as restorative alternatives to court involvement. Through guided discussion, teen patrons will examine issues like the school-to-prison pipeline, equal protection, second chances, and how democratic systems can evolve through reform and community responsibility.
The second workshop on June 10th explores Poetry, Art, and Creative Expression, focusing on art as a civic voice. Drawing inspiration from Horton’s poetry and personal journey, students will consider civic issues and how reclaiming voice through art is itself a form of democratic participation. Through writing and hands-on artmaking, students will create their own responses to themes of freedom, identity, and justice.
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Brought to us by Sankofa Education and Leadership, Inc./Public Art for Racial Justice Education (PARJE), this free program invites young people to explore how democracy is shaped through participation, accountability, and voice. The initiative includes two interactive workshops hosted across schools and libraries in Connecticut, culminating in a free public music and arts event on June 18th, 2026 at the Garde Arts Center featuring poet, author, and professor Randall Horton. Presented as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.