SAN ANTONIO, TX – June 16, 2025 — In a powerful fusion of history, creativity, and activism, Gemini Ink, in collaboration with the H.E. Butt Foundation, is proud to present “Walk Out and Speak Up”—a free youth storytelling workshop designed to uplift and amplify the next generation of changemakers. Set against the backdrop of San Antonio’s rich civil rights legacy, this immersive experience runs from June 23 to June 26, 2025, offering teenagers aged 13 to 19 a chance to explore their voice and power through the written and spoken word.

✊🏽 A Tribute to Youth Activism and the Spirit of 1968

Inspired by the historic 1968 Edgewood High School Walkouts, a pivotal moment in San Antonio’s ongoing pursuit of educational equity, the “Walk Out and Speak Up” workshop is more than just a writing class—it’s a platform for social change. These walkouts, led by courageous Chicano students demanding fair funding and treatment in their schools, remain a powerful symbol of youth-led resistance.

Using a soon-to-be-released documentary on the Edgewood Walkouts as a launching point, participants will learn to draw connections between past and present struggles, gaining tools to tell their own stories of resistance, resilience, and hope.

✍🏾 Crafting Stories That Matter

Hosted at the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) at 2123 Buena Vista St, the workshop runs daily from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM and is guided by two of San Antonio’s most dynamic teaching artists:

Marisela Barrera – A renowned storyteller and cultural activist known for centering Chicanx narratives.

Joyous Windrider Jimenez – An interdisciplinary educator who blends performance, poetry, and empowerment.

Through interactive exercises, historical exploration, and personalized mentorship, teens will transform their lived experiences into compelling narratives designed to inspire change in their communities.

🎤 Culminating in a Celebration of Courage and Creativity

On Friday, June 27, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, the workshop concludes with a Final Celebration & Performance at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center (922 San Pedro Ave), where students will present their stories alongside community elders and voices featured in the documentary.

In a special effort to preserve and amplify these stories, Empower House Radio will record select pieces for broadcast, with all performances archived on Gemini Ink’s SoundCloud page—ensuring that these voices echo far beyond the walls of the classroom.

🆓 Open to All Teens – No Experience Required

No prior writing or performance experience is necessary—just a willingness to be heard. The workshop is completely free, but space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged.

Young people interested in reclaiming history and shaping the future through storytelling can sign up at:
👉 https://geminiink.org/events/walk-out-and-speak-up-youth

Join the movement. Reclaim the narrative. Speak up—and spark change.

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