And Kandace Lavender of Read and Write Kalamazoo speaks to the power of supporting youth by giving them a voice to express themselves.

Well, today I'm talking to Kandace Lavender, executive director of Read and Write Kalamazoo.

But you know, Kandace, you're so much more than that.

I was trying to figure out how to describe you.

So how would you describe you?

- I would probably say community engager, artist, youth advocate, student, teacher, many things for sure.

- And being the executive director of Read and Write Kalamazoo, how do those two things go together?

- Wow.

I think the beautiful part about the work at Read and Write Kalamazoo or RAWK, we kind of move outside of the academic lens of reading and writing.

So when we think of reading and writing, we probably, most of us go back to school and think of the books and the text and not not being really enthusiastic about it.

And so the beautiful relationship that Read and Write Kalamazoo looks to do is to find creative ways to engage youth in reading and writing.

Going outside of you have to read to fall in love with reading, fall in love with writing.

And so when I saw the opening for an ED, for an organization that was seeking to celebrate and amplify youth voices through reading and writing, I knew that was definitely a place that I could call home.

- Oh, for sure.

And have you ever had like a light bulb moment at RAWK where a kid comes in and like, "I don't know how to write, I don't know what to say."

- Oh yeah, that actually just happened.

I had a project at the juvenile home.

I always tell people though, in this field of education that I've been in for probably about 15 years now, I don't know why I love to connect with the youth that don't wanna read or write or that don't want to do the work, or the ones that folks often label a behavioral issue or whatever.

Those are the ones I always strive to connect with.

And so I had the opportunity of going to the juvenile home and walking in, I was already met with, oh, we about to write, we're gonna read.

And then I spit a hot 16 rap verse and I get their attention and it flows after that.

- Tell me about that project, 'cause I was going to ask you about that.

- "Life Sentences" is an anthology of stories from six youth that were at the time incarcerated at the juvenile home.

And that's exactly what it is.

It's just their life in sentences.

But I think one of the most impactful moments and I actually, when I delivered the books to the young men, I just left the space crying just because of feeling their emotions all in one was very challenging for me.

The passion that keeps you in this work, some of that ebb and flow is really feeling hopeless.

Feeling like, how can we help everyone?

How can we support everyone?

How can we make sure everyone has what they need?

And sometimes it feels impossible.

It can feel like a life sentence that no matter how hard we try, no matter how much love we give, no matter how, there's still these moments, these wounds that seem to be uncurable.

And so I think the greatest gift that I can give is this space to write it down.

Like, at the very least, you will be able to know what it feels like to tell someone your story and feel empowered.

When I came back and I said, yo, I shared this on my Facebook and look how much love y'all got, you know, look how much love is out there for you.

"Life Sentences" was transformative for me in recognizing the ways that Read and Write Kalamazoo can show up for young people.

- It must be pretty cool too, 'cause you're also a mom, for your son to have like a hip hop mom.

(laughs) - Yeah, so my partner, her biological children, but definitely my loves for sure.

So one is a DJ and that has definitely been such a joy to see him evolve because it started again as just an interest.

But as I tell parents, community members, when a youth comes to you with an interest, I feel it's our duty to pour into them because they don't know that this interest could be a career, could be an opportunity to change the community, the world, you know what I mean?

And so many doors have been open for him just from that one passion and being able to be a part of this stage of his life is no different than what I've done for the last 20 years with youth.

There's many youth in the community that call me mom, that have always found safety, I guess, with me.

And I think it's just out of my desire to have had that when I was their age, being what we wish we had when we were children.

♪ This time we are in time ♪ ♪ We must remind of the divine ♪ ♪ 'Cause eventually it'll only be memories inside our minds ♪ ♪ So let us hold on ♪ ♪ Until we're gone, gone, gone ♪ - You're gonna be performing at Art on the Mall.

You've done it before, but what's that like, like looking out from the stage, doing your thing up there and seeing people responding to it?

- Yeah, I think the most beautiful part about being an artist in Kalamazoo is the community that supports the artistry.

And so there's nothing like being on stage and seeing your people walk by and stop and I'm a firm believer of the exchange of energy in any performance.

And so it really just allows the performance to be that more intimate, but also hopefully explosive to the listener and to myself when there is that exchange of energy outside.

- So what's next for you, Kandace?

- Well, I still feel like I'm riding the wave of relaxation after completing a doctorate degree.

So I think I'm set for a while, but you know, you can catch me on a stage in Kalamazoo.

We have a couple gigs in Chicago coming up and definitely, absolutely always connecting and building up youth in Kalamazoo for sure.

- Kandace Lavender, woman extraordinaire and executive director of Read and Write Kalamazoo.

Thank you so much for talking with me again here today.

- Thank you.

(upbeat music) - [Announcer] Support for Kalamazoo Lively Arts is provided by the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, helping to build and enrich the cultural life of Greater Kalamazoo.