Global Kids Chronicles | May 2026 Newsletter
- Global Kids
- May 1
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Dear Global Kids Community,
This spring, Global Kids has been buzzing with energy as young people across our programs stepped into leadership roles, explored new ideas, and deepened their engagement with the world around them. From honoring Women’s History Month through creative and reflective activities to preparing for youth-led conferences on critical issues like teen safety and human rights, students in NYC and Washington, D.C. embraced opportunities to collaborate, share their perspectives, and take initiative.
Through overnight retreats, advocacy-driven research, and hands-on enrichment experiences, youth strengthened not only their skills, but also their sense of voice and agency. These moments—whether spent in conversation, creation, or exploration—continue to shape how students see themselves as leaders and changemakers within their schools and communities.
Read on to discover how Global Kids youth are making an impact!
NYC & D.C. Youth Prepare to Lead Youth Conferences Through Overnight Retreat
Global Kids youth from New York City and Washington, D.C. recently participated in leadership retreats designed to prepare them for their upcoming youth-led conferences, centered on youth voice, collaboration, and advancing conversations on safety and human rights.
In New York City, conference planners from across the five boroughs came together at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY for an immersive, community-building experience. Surrounded by nature, students strengthened their leadership and facilitation skills through interactive workshops and team-building activities, while beginning to develop their sessions for their human rights youth conference taking place in June. The retreat balanced learning with shared experiences—from hiking the Ashokan Gorge to a waterfall to gathering for s’mores by the campfire—fostering connection and collaboration among participants.
In Washington, D.C., students prepared for the Teen Safety Youth Conference in May. The retreat equipped students with the skills and confidence to serve as conference leaders, with each participant representing their school or program and leading a workshop on a youth safety subtopic.
Students also participated in a conflict resolution session and learned from community partners at the D.C. Office of the Student Advocate and the D.C. Office of Human Rights about creating safer school environments.
Youth Leaders Celebrate Women’s History Month Through Creativity and Dialogue
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Global Kids sites across NYC created meaningful opportunities for students to explore and reflect on the contributions of women throughout history and around the world. Through a range of creative, discussion-based, and student-driven activities, young people were encouraged to think critically about the role of women in shaping society and connect those histories to their own experiences.
Across programs, students recognized the month in several inspiring ways:
Bronx Aerospace High School – Students contributed to a collaborative women’s history mural, adding to a shared visual project throughout the school day and during Global Kids programming.
High School for Global Citizenship (HSGC) – Youth participated in interactive classroom activities and helped create a mural focused on women’s rights around the world, sparking dialogue on global gender equity.
John Adams High School – Students produced video and written reflections, displayed on a school bulletin board to amplify student voice and encourage peer engagement.
High School for Medical Professions (HSMP) – Students developed video reflections exploring what Women’s History Month means to them personally and how it connects to their identities and aspirations.
Collectively, these activities engaged students through art, dialogue, and storytelling, transforming Women’s History Month into a lived learning experience.
Celebrating Alumni Success: Shavoy Alcock’s Film Gains International Recognition
Global Kids is proud to celebrate Bronx Lab alumnus Shavoy Alcock, who continues to make meaningful strides in the film industry as an emerging filmmaker and storyteller.
Through Monroe University’s Entertainment Media Program, Shavoy made his directorial debut with the short film TYRONE, a powerful narrative that explores themes of transformation, resilience, and redemption through art. The film follows the journey of Tyrone Grant, a man who spent significant time in prison and ultimately transformed his life after discovering his purpose as an artist with the Dia Art Foundation. Through his work, Shavoy highlights the role of creative expression in personal growth and second chances, bringing together storytelling and visual art in a compelling way. Since its release, TYRONE has received international recognition, earning nominations at both the Toronto Shorts Film Festival and a Best Picture nomination at the LA Film Festival.
Shavoy’s accomplishment reflects the creativity, determination, and storytelling voice fostered within the Global Kids community. His work underscores how young alumni continue to use media and the arts to elevate important narratives, spark dialogue, and bring attention to stories of transformation and lived experience.
We welcome our readers to watch Shavoy’s new film HERE.
Youth Advisory Councils Lead Action-Oriented Research Projects
Youth leaders continue to step into leadership roles through advocacy projects that address real issues impacting their schools and communities, with a strong focus on elevating student voice and turning lived experience into actionable change.
In NYC, Youth Advisory Council (YAC) students are developing a citywide advocacy project aimed at improving school restroom conditions. Through ongoing peer outreach and research, they are collecting student perspectives from across the city to better understand shared challenges and identify areas for meaningful improvement. This process is helping students build a clearer picture of how everyday school environments impact the student experience and where change is most needed.
In Washington, D.C., students at Banneker High School are leading a project on taxation, selected through a school-wide vote. Through research and dialogue, they are exploring how taxation systems function and the ways they impact individuals and communities.
Students Explore Science, Innovation, and Community Through Spring Break Trips
During spring break, Global Kids students participated in hands-on field trips designed to extend learning beyond the classroom through exploration, curiosity, and shared experience.
At the High School for Medical Professions (HSMP), students visited the New York Aquarium, where they participated in an interactive squid dissection workshop. This hands-on experience allowed them to explore marine biology, anatomy, and conservation in a real-world setting, while also touring exhibits that deepened their understanding of marine ecosystems and the impacts of climate change on ocean life.
Meanwhile, students from Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School visited the Museum of Illusions, engaging with interactive exhibits that challenged perception and encouraged curiosity. The experience created a playful yet thought-provoking environment that sparked conversation, creativity, and connection among peers.
Together, these trips provided students with experiential learning opportunities that strengthened peer relationships, expanded their interests, and deepened their engagement with science and creativity in real-world settings.
Upcoming Events
Global Kids Annual Benefit – June 2, 2026
Save the date for the Global Kids Annual Benefit on June 2, 2026! This special evening will advance our mission to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth to become engaged global citizens and leaders.
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