Research and Cultural Connections Project

Part of the SOAR X Summer 2021 Program at Xavier University

During Xavier University's 2021 SOAR X summer program, I led a four-week course that empowered high school students to become researchers, storytellers, and changemakers in their communities.

Grounded in youth participatory action research (YPAR) and a commitment to racial justice, the course guided students through:

• Identifying social issues students were passionate about

• Analyzing community strengths and systemic challenges

• Designing actionable strategies for change

• Creating public-facing digital projects

Students worked individually or in teams to develop creative social change initiatives that tackled issues such as anti-Asian racism, school policing, medical racism, and media representation. Their final projects blended research, storytelling, and design to build awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action.

This immersive learning experience centered student voice and agency while building critical research and communication skills. It offered a model for what justice-driven, youth-led education can look like in practice.