Empowering Baltimore's youth through art, storytelling, and leadership
Launching in Fall 2026, this free pilot program for ages 8–15 combines drawing, creative writing, and comics with financial literacy, mentorship, and entrepreneurship to help youth turn their boldest ideas into reality.
Explore. Create. Tell your story.
Designed for youth ages 8–15, our Youth Empowerment Program combines visual art, storytelling, creativity, mentorship, and practical life skills to help young people discover their talents, strengthen their voices, and imagine new possibilities for their future.
Sketching, drawing & visual communication
Build foundational drawing skills while learning to communicate ideas through art.
Storytelling, creative writing & illustrated books
Develop original characters, stories, and illustrated works that encourage imagination and self-expression.
Character design & comic creation
Turn original ideas into characters, comics, and creative projects from concept to completion.
Entrepreneurship, leadership & teamwork
Explore teamwork, goal setting, financial literacy, and how creative talents can connect to future opportunities.
The Program
Ages: 8–15
Format: 8-week pilot program
Sessions: Bi-weekly
Cost: Free
Location: Druid Hill YMCA, Baltimore
Launch: Fall 2026
Participants move from creative exploration to developing original artwork and stories, collaborating with peers, and celebrating their completed work.
Creativity Can Become Opportunity
Young people learn that their ideas have value. Through age-appropriate financial literacy and entrepreneurship, participants explore goal setting, creative ownership, money management, and ways artistic talents can connect to education, careers, and entrepreneurship.
Create it. Develop it. Understand its value. Share it with the world.
Meet the creative team
Mike "Mikey Two Times" Davis
Visual Artist • Character Designer • Youth Art Facilitator
Mike “Mikey Two Times” Davis is a multidisciplinary visual artist and creative storyteller with more than 27 years of experience in pencil artistry, character development, portrait illustration, and imaginative world-building.
Known for blending realism with fantasy-driven creativity, Mike transforms ideas into compelling visual narratives through original characters, comic-inspired artwork, portraits, and detailed hand-drawn illustrations.
As part of WTPUFC’s Youth Empowerment team, Mike brings his artistic experience directly to young creators—helping participants strengthen their drawing skills, develop original characters, explore visual storytelling, and build confidence in their creative abilities.
Keon Smith-Author • Creator • Storytelling Facilitator
Keon Smith is a Baltimore-based children’s author and creator of The Misadventures of Catboy, a growing children’s adventure series centered on courage, imagination, friendship, and positive life lessons.
As part of WTPUFC’s Youth Empowerment team, Keon brings his experience as an independent creator directly to young people—helping participants develop characters, build stories, strengthen their creative voices, and see how an idea can grow from imagination into a completed work.
Through his own journey with Catboy, Keon provides young creators with a real-world example of what is possible when creativity, persistence, and purpose come together.
Art Meets Storytelling
Together, Mike Davis and Keon Smith bring two sides of the creative process into one experience. Mike helps young people visualize and draw their ideas, while Keon helps them develop characters, build stories, and bring those ideas to life through storytelling.
Participants aren’t simply learning how to draw or write—they’re learning how creative ideas move from imagination to creation.
Building confidence. Developing leaders.
Our program goes far beyond artistic techniques. We foster an encouraging, supportive space where young people strengthen communication, teamwork, personal responsibility, and leadership. Guided by caring adult mentors, participants discover their strengths, overcome creative hurdles, collaborate with peers, and step forward with lasting pride in their voices and future.
Growing into leadership
Designed for youth ages 15–17, our upcoming Leadership & Mentorship Track offers continued growth for young creators ready to take the next step beyond our core program. Participants transition from creative students to dynamic community leaders, building polished personal portfolios, mastering advanced storytelling projects, and exploring viable creative career pathways and entrepreneurship.
As emerging peer leaders, participants step into mentorship roles—collaborating with program facilitators, supporting younger creators aged 8–15 during workshops, and helping coordinate public showcases. This purposeful progression from participant to creator, leader, and mentor equips teens with essential communication, teamwork, and real-world leadership skills that open doors for their future.
Our program brings together caring artists, storytellers, mentors, and community leaders dedicated to helping young people discover their gifts, build lasting confidence, and realize their full creative potential.