Art for Life

Twin Poets Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Al Mills have dedicated their lives to inspiring under served youth in their hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. Now, as Delaware’s official Poets Laureate, their mantra Art for Life has been amplified, but their mission remains the same: to interrupt the cycles of underachievement that plague too many of America's poorer neighborhoods, breeding hopelessness and violence.

 In 2010, Hearts and Minds Film told the story of the origins of their work in the documentary film, “Why I Write: The Twin Poets”. Their message and model resonated with communities around the country where it screened to enthusiastic audiences. Now, “Art for Life” updates the story of the Poets' work and wider focus that includes Veterans and incarcerated young adults, all part of their unwavering efforts to achieve greater social justice through the power of the arts. (Documentary)

United We Are Dreaming

United We Are Dreaming (USA 2022, 52 minutes) presents important pieces of the stories of five Dreamers, young people brought to the U.S. as small children by undocumented parents. The U.S. is the only country they know but in the absence of immigration reform they remain in legal limbo, despite being lifelong residents now with careers and American-born children. Protected only by Presidential Executive Order (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA) collectively, these stories offer a clear and compelling picture of the impact that America’s long fractured immigration system is having on these de facto Americans, their families, employers and, by extension, the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants now living in the U.S…with more arriving every day.

What About Our Kids?

Parents, Teachers, Primary Care and Mental Health practitioners, and even Law Enforcement agencies are coming face-to-face with a mental health crisis impacting adolescents in our communities. Young people are demonstrating an increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm and in some cases suicidal ideation. The onset of the pandemic and subsequent quarantine exacerbated young people’s feelings of loneliness. The omnipresent impact of “always on” technology has led to sleep deprivation, identified as a critical for developing teens. Recent Pew research observes, “…dramatic shifts in youth behaviors, attitudes and lifestyles – both positive and concerning – for those who are coming of age in this era.” What is fueling this crisis? We’ll ask students. What About Our Kids? will utilize participating experts to offer information on the complex changes in brain and body that adolescents undergo. They will provide research on the impact of technology and social media, and they will share therapeutic responses that can help caregivers and others to help our kids build resilience and better navigate the challenges of growing up in 2023.