New York, NY - March 27, 2024 - Headstream, an innovation program by SecondMuse that works to improve the mental well-being of adolescents within systematically excluded communities, today announced the members of its 2024 Youth Co-Creator Club, a five-month virtual program from March 25 to July 23 to position BIPOC, Latinos, and LGBTQIA+ youth as co-creators of digital products. The new cohort will consist of 23 members between the ages of 13 and 20 from across the U.S.
The goal of the Club is to have systematically underserved youth shape the digital world they live in. Throughout the program, participants co-create with entrepreneurs from the most impactful mental well-being innovations to foster products that are responsive to young people's mental and emotional well-being needs. The Youth Co-Creator Club trains young people, boosts their confidence, and positions them to spark change through the power of co-creation. Headstream prioritizes the value of intergenerational collaboration and co-creation, recognizing the unique perspectives and contributions each generation brings. By fostering this collaborative approach, we strive to ensure that the technologies we create are developed equitably and inclusively, benefiting diverse communities and addressing mental health challenges more effectively.
Meet a few of the 2024 youth co-creators:
- Emily Muñoz is a rising Posse Scholar at Vanderbilt University, an award-winning and published artivist poet and an advocate for intersectional racial and gender equity. Emily is passionate about closing the education gap and providing marginalized communities with adequate economic and technological resources. At Headstream, Emily aspires to leverage her passion for poetry to bridge the art and digital innovation.
- Devin Moore became the Founder of Race To Speak Up, an anti-bullying organization, where he educates youth about bullying prevention and empowers them to be upstanders. Devin is a first-time author of “Devin Speaks Up!”, a children’s anti-bullying book. Devin is a Psychology major and Nonprofit Leadership minor at the University of Maryland.
- Joseph Arujo is a Latino mental health activist and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA., Joseph is uniting his online community to advocate for various social causes and make a mark on the world. He is also an Advisory Board Member to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and is committed to the foundation's principles of building a kinder and braver world.
“Building technology for youth has to happen directly with youth. That is why we center Headstream’s Youth Collective and the 2024 co-creators in our mission to create a brighter and healthier future for all young people” said David Ball, Global Head of Health, Education, and Technology at SecondMuse. “The reality is that adults struggle even to imagine the solutions that will transform our world in the future. Young people are best positioned, through their creativity and fresh perspectives to provide those transformative ideas. Why silo youth to only design the future when they can create an immense impact on the products we use in the present..”
Through virtual workshops, collaborative advising, and co-creation sessions with entrepreneurs, these young participants have an advantage in shaping emerging technologies. Our program stands on pillars of youth co-creation, radical imagination, and equitable design, championing cultural wealth and community-driven innovation. Featuring partners who will be delving into cultural wealth models, emotional resilience, and creative healing, our initiative fosters an ecosystem where youth co-creation thrives for better business development and societal impact.
Headstream has collaborated with 70+ youth participants belonging to LGBTQIA+, Latino, and BIPOC communities of ages between 13 to 20 years old. By 2026, Headstream strives to support the mental well-being of 20 million young people, integrate digital mental health products into over 150 school districts, and support 100+ entrepreneurs to generate over $100 million in revenue. More info around can be found in Headstream’s most recent Youth Collective Impact Report If you are interested in partnering or collaborating with Headstream please contact us at: hello@headstreaminnovation.com
About Headstream
Headstream, an innovation program by SecondMuse, exists to improve the mental well-being of adolescents, with a focus on systemically excluded communities including BIPOC, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Headstream reshapes how the health, education, and social tech systems prioritize youth mental health. Learn more about our programs at: https://www.headstreaminnovation.com/
About SecondMuse
SecondMuse is a global impact and innovation company that works with communities focused on climate, equity, and tech to build resilient economies that benefit people and protect the planet. Our impact-driven methodology prioritizes collaboration and relational infrastructures with key stakeholders to develop market-driven solutions that transform our current systems. Over the last 15 years, we have designed, developed, and implemented a mix of innovation programming and investing capital that has reached over 160 countries and territories. Learn more about us: www.secondmuse.com
