This summer, a group of 5th and 6th graders got to experience the power of creative expression while they learned about the history and politics of socially conscious rap music, thanks to a summer media literacy program, Powerful Voices for Kids, a university-school partnership program developed by the Media Education Lab and the Russell Byers Charter School.

The program brings Temple University graduate students and recent grads in close collaboration with children aged 5 to 15 from the Russell Byers Charter School during the month of July. Osei Allyne, a rap artist and recent Temple University graduate of the Department of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media worked with a group of nine children to create "Stop the Violence," a rap song that explores the challenges of growing up in Philadelphia today. "Children strengthen confidence in self-expresion and use their powerful voices to resist peer pressure to use drugs and violence," explained Mr. Allyne. "Going to the recording studio at Temple University gives children some exciting ideas about the many options and choices they will experience in life."

Listen to the song children composed and performed by clicking on the link in the yellow box at the top of this page.