Harlem Youth Publishing Empowerment

Recruiting and training the next generation of publishers in Harlem 

Established in 2010, with Columbia University’s, Institute for Urban and Minority Education, IUME with assistant Director, Veronica Holly. Harlem Youth Publishing Empowerment (HYPE), recruits and trains the next generation of publishers in Harlem, and for Harlem World Magazine.

HYPE is a community-social enterprise youth publishing organization designed to support and develop young minority publishers aged 13-17 and prepare them for the professional field of publishing and/or higher education.

HYPE’s future is to be a non-profit organization of Harlem World Magazine. HYPE developed out of the recognition of the enjoyment some minority youth had in the publishing field, and the lack of minority publishers, both in the publishing industry and at the academic level.

HYPE takes advantage of the appeal of the publishing world to young minority populations in order to empower and promote both professional and academic opportunities and success.

HYPE addresses all aspects of life by providing programs and assistance with arts, education, and health issues.

Help Us Recruit The Next Generation Of Harlem Publishers!

Overview

HYPE is a Harlem-based organization that teaches youth about the publishing industry. HYPE aims to teach the skills of Photography & Video, Graphic Design, Production, Writing, and Advertising.

Current Program and Accomplishments—HYPE is structured as a community-run organization to maximize professional and academic networks for minority youth working over the last few years.

The Advisory Board includes local community members, professionals in the publishing industry, members who hold academic positions in journalism schools, a social worker who will serve as the program director, and an accountant who will manage the financial responsibilities of the organization.

In collaboration with high schools and other organizations, HYPE aims to meet the demanding needs of minority youth in Harlem.

Programs

HYPE aims to target Harlem minority youth, who have an interest in the publishing industry and or want to explore an optional route to education and or career. The program will be a ten-week after-school and mid-day Saturday program beginning the third week of the fall and spring semesters.

Youth will be introduced to the publishing industry through 3-5 hour workshops. At the end of the ten-week session, students attend a field trip to a publishing company or college.

During this trip, youth engage with professionals and network to build relationships for possible internships. The workshops will be led by experienced individuals currently in the publishing industry and students who are currently enrolled in graduate school and knowledgeable about the publishing industry.

The workshops will include six key components:

  1. Photography and Video: Youth learn how to express their emotions, thoughts, and reactions through photography and video. Youths learn how to use photography and video as a method of communication and expression. Youths learn how to report stories by using creativity and looking beyond the surface. Youths learn how to analyze and critique existing media.
  2. Graphic Design: Youth learn basic skills in publishing through basic to advanced technology workshops. Youth become accustomed to the latest technology tools to design editorial work. Youths learn how to gather photos, videos, and writings to produce content on print and online forms. Youths learn how to analyze and critique existing design material.
  3. Production: Youth learn basic to advanced skills in video production and print production tools. Youths learn how to analyze and critique existing production material.
  4. Advertising: Youth learn professional marketing, sales, and presentation skills. Youths learn how to analyze and critique existing advertisement material. Youths learn how to use the internet for professional social networking. Youth publishes and maintains a professional portfolio of advertising work and events. Youth produce sales content that is available to the public. Youth broadcast material online (HYPE site), upload portfolios, create an annual HYPE magazine, and advertise.
  5. Writing: Youth improve literacy skills and become prepared for academic writing by participating in journalism workshops and creative writing workshops. Youths learn how to create short and precise stories (blogs and Op-ed pieces). Youths learn how to analyze and critique existing written material.
  6. College and Career Preparation: Through several workshops, youth are taught useful techniques that will assist them in a professional career and at the college level. Youth learn how to work independently, in groups and are prepared to make individual and group presentations. Youth network with professionals and visit local colleges. Youth have an opportunity to be part of the internship program the following fall semester at a publishing company or college.

Statistics & Research

Many questions how a publishing media program will help students find employment and or guide students into higher education.

The answer is simple; the program addresses the specific needs of today’s youth. According to Lenhart et al. (2005), in 2001, 24% of youth aged 12-17 used some form of technology, and in 2005; the use of technology grew to 87%.

Today’s youth are continually looking for ways to express personal and group emotions through technology. In other words, if youth are engaged through technology, media, and publishing, then any successful intervention program should center its work to use an already engaging platform for youth into a forum of opportunity for success and a better future.

  • Building Self-efficacy—studies have shown that interventions that aim to empower minority youth have led to significant success in academics and professional growth (Cummins, 2011). Programs that implement career and educational seminars and or counseling have also been seen as ways to improve self-efficacy among minority youth ( Bingham & Ward, 1994)
  • Leadership Development—According to Cox (2010), there are only 16 minority CEOs in the Fortune 500, and only 8 black executives have ever made it to the Chairman or CEO position. Although the number of minority leaders is growing (Schachter, 2003). It is important to note how to effectively engage minority youth in ways that will positively impact their leadership skills. Participation in technology has been seen as “the new wave” of youth intervention (Macgill, 2008), and can be seen as an effective way to build leadership skills among minority youth.

As we mentioned at the top of this page, HYPE recruits and trains the next generation of publishers for Harlem, the World, and Harlem World Magazine.

In late 2019, we closed our doors because of COVID-19 and have re-opened HYPE with a soft launch in summer 2024-2025.

Here are some of the other projects and partners that they have worked with:

Past Partners

Past Projects

New Relaunch 2025/2026

We do this as part of Non-disclamatorory with Harlem Cultural Archives.

Contact

Contact Us for more information.

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Photo credit: 1) Students from HYPE. 2) Film student HYPE. 3) Susan Taylor partnership and HYPE partnership. 4) Students from HYPE Journalism Workshops. Copyright 2022. Harlem Youth Publishing Empowerment (HYPE).