SOULAJU spent some time in Trinidad, CO in May and June working with a group of young people connected to a criminal justice “Diversion” program.  Good kids, smart and conscious of their surroundings, who got in some minor trouble and luckily evaded more serious problems like juvenile incarceration.  These youth meet weekly and have to satisfy a number of requirements to complete the diversion program, including weekly meetings and community service.  We had worked with Tony Diego, the diversion program director, on other youth programs through an organization called OYE (Organized Youth for Empowerment).  He had an idea for a youth video project with flip cams.  We had limited time and funding was also limited, but this is what we came up with after a few trips down to Trinidad: a documentary about youth culture in Trinidad, Colorado:

“Trinidad Undaground”

Our main goals in working with these young people were to empower them to tell their own stories and engage in a process of creating their own media.  Before we put cameras in their hands we ran some workshops with them, talking about their experiences, identity, their dreams, life beyond Trinidad, getting them writing their thoughts on paper.  The following video is a “making of” look at our work with this group of youth.

The Making of “Trinidad Undaground”

After many hours of learning pains and frustration, offset by a good dose of  inspiration, we present an edited short film documenting the SOULAJU Youth Jam and Youth Climate Justice workshop, organized w/ Josh Watkins and Jennie Nevin in conjunction with Green Spaces Denver.  The event took place on January 15, 2010.  We look forward to hosting future green events in the mile high city, fusing art and music with conscious and sustainable living.  Enjoy!

For more info on the event, click here.

Molina Soleil & Aju held it down this weekend at the 13th annual Children of Aztlan Sharing in Higher Education (CASHE) conference in Pullman, Washington.  We emceed Noche Cultural and presented five workshops.

Molina Soleil & Aju rockin’ a packed auditorium    at Noche Cultural.	Aju holding it down during an Immigration reform workshop.
	(Left) Molina with the homey Margarita Esquivel, superwoman and youth advocate.  Maggie and her fellow comadres put together a dynamic 3-day conference for 250 Latino high school students from across the state of Washington.  Twenty-five seniors were accepted to WSU onsite at the closing banquet.

MORE PICS FROM CASHE:

Gettin’ things moving…

Gettin’ people on their feet…

The people movin’ to the music…

The following day, in the classroom, building…

Much respect to all the Mechistas de WSU and the whole CASHE conference staff.  Shout out tambien to all students who attended.  We had fun with you all!  Street smart and driven to succeed, you all took a serious step towards higher education this weekend.  Adelante jovenes!