Clever Communities in Action, a Norfolk based nonprofit, is seeking youth from Hampton Roads to experience our  LAAW Scholars program. Due to historic inaccuracies and the lack of inclusive education, African-American youth and adults, as well as most United States citizens, are unaware of the full history of this nation in regard to its treatment of African-Americans. This denial of the truth has resulted in society viewing the current state of the African-American community without a proper context of how current conditions came to be.

Through an interactive course, and with the aid of an esteemed advisory council, LAAW Scholars will dissect and discuss the critically acclaimed book, The Color of Law. In the book, author Richard Rothstein shows how federal, state, and local government housing policies deliberately made the United States two societies, that were grotesquely unequal.

• Research the correlation between discriminatory housing practices and the racial wealth gap
• Dismantle common stereotypes through researching the correlation between redlining and gun violence
• Host and produce a podcast in which they report the information they learn to the public and their peers
• Receive training to prepare for interviewing and storyboard creation
• Interview citizens of Hampton Roads to have them share their lived-experiences with gun violence

• Promote culturally affirming literature to improve literacy rates
• Build community and heal trauma inflicted by systemic racism
• Serve as social justice influencers with literacy as a weapon
• Map community assets

• Let your voice be heard
• Make change through literacy and knowledge
• Develop professional, entrepreneurship and life skills
• Influence public policy
• Enhance your awareness of culturally affirming literature
• Explore workplace pathways
• Become a young leader in your community
• Receive a stipend

We believe it is important to provide a platform for youth to read thought-provoking, historically accurate literature that provides them with the information and a platform to begin the journey for social justice and equity.

This six week program meets 10am – 1:00pm on Saturdays and 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Thursdays from June 20  – August 3, 2024.  If you are 16 to 21 years of age, we encourage you to apply. Email admin@clevercommunities.org with questions. The application deadline is 8:00 am, June 2, 2024.