Hype: Uplifting the Next Generation of Storytellers
Hickman-Winfield states, “Hype is one of the few places young people can share their perspectives and ideas for solving community issues.” VOPs (Visions of Possibilities) – including past Hype crew members and current and former TPT staff – serve as mentors to the crew in the areas of media production, social justice, community service, and more.
At Twin Cities PBS (TPT) we believe media has the power to challenge, connect, and unite.
This belief guides TPT’s youth empowerment project: Hype . Based on the popular TPT initiative Don’t Believe the Hype (1992-2002), Hype empowers youth in grades 9-12 as media creators. Robin Hickman-Winfield – an Executive Producer of the original Hype series– has returned as Hype’s co-creator and Executive Producer. TPT Education Specialist Demetrius Trundle coordinates the Hype programming. In weekly meetings, crew members learn media history, develop media literacy, build community, receive role modeling, and create media content.
“Our VOPs are essential for showing the crew members that they can be the next generation of storytellers to represent their communities,” says Trundle. This year’s crew will be creating social media shorts and longer capstone projects focusing on school violence, mental health, and representation in the arts. TPT looks forward to learning with and from Minnesota's emerging media voices. Stay tuned for Hype updates and a look into the crew’s final projects.
Hype’s goal is to leverage the power of media- making to help Indigenous, Black, Latina(o), Asian American, and historically unrepresented youth craft their own narratives and amplify their unique voices. “Use your voice – someone will hear you one day,” says a crew member about the lesson they learned during last year’s Hype pilot. “Don’t doubt yourself.”
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MAY 2023
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