Contribution

 BATTLE CREEK, MI – Kirk Latimer and Gabriel Giron, the dynamic duo of a new non-profit organization called Speak it Forward Inc and Sean Washington of the Mylestone Project, have joined forces to create a dynamic, youth-driven program called Speaking Out designed specifically for youth from the Battle Creek area who have faced difficult challenges. The pilot program, underway since January 2010, culminates with a youth and professional collaborative performance on Saturday, May 29 at 7pm in the Montgomery Room of the McCamly Plaza Hotel.

Battle Creek area students prepare for "Speaking Out," event.

Latimer and Giron, a duo also called Kinetic Affect, are well known for their dynamic and explosive spoken word art form, sharing intimate storylines that use voice and movement. Widely popular, the duo has performed locally, regionally, and nationally including on the stages of America’s Got Talent and the Apollo Theater. In 2009, they won Kalamazoo’s most talented performers award.

Giron commented, “Kirk and I co-founded Speak It Forward Inc. as an educational non-profit in order to advocate for the voices of those in the community who often feel they have no voice or who are silenced. Through Speak it Forward, we provide educational opportunities designed to help youth and adults find and express their voice through the written and oral word.

Latimer adds, “Through our collaboration with Sean Washington and his Mylestone Project, a family-driven educational organization, we’ve launched Speaking Out – a program to help Battle Creek youth and their families discover their own personal stories, give voice to them, and through that telling, make real change in their own lives and in the lives of their families and networks.

Speaking Out is a pilot program, funded through the Battle Creek Community Foundation’s Resources for Youth Community Project Fund which receives contributions from the community and is overseen by the Monday Morning Group, and is partnering with Starr Commonwealth. The program is two-fold: it aims to help youth who have experienced challenges, to discover and share their voices, stories and experiences in ways that empower and impact them and others; at the same time, the program focuses on the families and surrounding networks to assist them in recognizing, understanding, and embracing the positive changes taking place within their children.

Saturday’s performance will feature key youth from the program, who will perform their work and share the power of their experiences with the community. Program mentors and Kinetic Affect will also perform, highlighting the work done throughout the program and illustrating the very real power of words and the human voice.

Latimer tells us, “Get ready to be impacted by the stories and experiences of the youth right here in your own community. We want people to listen and learn about these very personal journeys and perspectives. These are youth voices from this community – their stories are powerful. This performance offers them an opportunity to discover their voice, to be heard and to feel supported.”

Tickets: Suggested donation of $5-10. All proceeds to directly to the program.  For more information, call Kinetic Affect at 269-779-9663 or visit www.kineticaffect.com

Kinetic Affect offers performances, workshops, and other outreach and education programs for youth, arts, and social advocacy organizations. Educators, arts, social activist, and entertainment organizations have sought out Kinetic Affect for their ability to reach audiences of all ages. Kinetic Affect has appeared at numerous charity and advocacy events, youth gatherings, schools, and art events to promote positive change and stimulate people of all ages to listen, learn, and speak up.