This expressionistic collection of heARTivism storytelling, created and produced by I Am MORE youth,  reveals authentic journeys of young people in the Portland metro area, which was featured in a virtual festival in Portland, OR. The youths' creative language, which includes music, video, dance, song, fashion, multimedia art and spoken word, is grounded in the real life experiences of these racially diverse performers who have moved past the emotional grip of their suffering and shifted into the depth of their possibilities.

 

Each performer possesses a unique sense of purpose that has been seasoned by trauma. Their empowering messages are a collective wake-up call for adults to look past challenging youth behaviors – and sometimes, racially based judgments of their potential – and recognize that we are ALL so much MORE than the worst thing that has ever happened to us. And with a little love, support and encouragement, young people have the potential to shift from rough to resilient … and rise UP!