Terrell joined the Refresh Collective 101 Recording Arts course at Aiken High School (in Cincinnati Public Schools) with a natural talent for writing and rapping, but he lacked the confidence to share his work. As the year progressed, he grew more comfortable speaking up in creative sessions and began making even more music on his own. He even traveled to Cleveland to perform alongside our students there. Today, while Terrell is enrolled in the 201 course he serves as a teacher's assistant, guiding the new group of students who are now in the same position he was in last year. He is amazing at encouraging the other students to push past shyness and jump out of their shell to achieve success!! We are thankful for our partnership with the Cincinnati Public Schools and proud of this hard work and commitment.

A hospital environment is challenging under the best of circumstances, and when it becomes a matter of life and death for a young person the stakes are astronomical. Meet Kira, who spent three years battling cancer and saw her physically active world literally stopped when she became paralyzed for a time. What did not stop was her spirit’s desire to express positivity. Kira took advantage of the in-hospital studio we built in the arts therapy department and Cypherstyle curriculum we provided to write and record her first song that not only nourished her as she underwent treatments, it now spreads waves of encouragement for other kids. As her song declares, Kira continues to jump over obstacles, and she is definitely on her way up!

During our Fresh Force summer job program, students underwent a remarkable transformation as they immersed themselves in a creative team environment. Through this paid 6-week internship, participants didn't just learn technical skills like music production, video editing, photography, and marketing – they experienced genuine personal growth. The program's collaborative nature challenged students to work together towards a shared goal, culminating in the creation of a complete album project. Their talent and hard work earned them impressive performance opportunities at major Cleveland venues, including the Eclipse Fest, Cleveland Browns Stadium, and even a Cavs game, alongside various community festivals. These high-profile performances not only showcased their artistic abilities but also built their confidence and professional presence. By working on real-world projects and performing at such significant venues, students gained invaluable experience while making a positive impact in their community through music.