C AROLIN A ON OU R M I N D
private music lessons through Musical Empowerment, theater and dance classes, and mentorship from UNC students. STEM and city planning activities hosted at
The current Monday through Thursday programming is available to any student who may benefit from the resources CYP provides. Chris and CYP’s volunteers from Morehead Planetarium & Science Center UNC form close bonds with the 40-odd are guided by members of the National students they call “scholars.” Chris describes Society of Black Engineers. the dynamic between participants similar Cyrus is now learning to play the clarinet. to that of a family. By exposing students to “Being able to practice an instrument enriching experiences, the aim is to build … is a great privilege for me,” he says. self-esteem and foster personal growth. Savannah agrees, noting the lessons aren’t “You see in … not just the kindergartens within her budget as a single mother of to 12th graders who we serve, but also three. CYP focuses on providing kids the college [student volunteers] a level of with opportunities and experiences they confidence – just this aura of confidence wouldn’t otherwise have access to. that hovers over the program,” Chris says. CYP’s history reaches back to 1992 when it Parents notice this confidence appearing Volunteer Olivia Wilson reads to a group began as a Saturday school program. A UNC too. Genevieve Harris describes her shy of students including Ahniyah Diallo. freshman at the time, Bonita Joyce says 11-year-old son, Mario Goins. “For about About 60 UNC students get involved with she and a group of her peers envisioned a two years straight, he did not talk to Chris,” CYP each school year. program to educate local youths about Black Genevieve says. “[Mario] has to get to know culture and history, while serving as a liaison people before he starts to open up to them.” between the community and university. Now a social worker at Scroggs Now, she says, Mario feels comfortable enough to speak up during his Elementary School, Bonita continues to advocate for students. music lessons and afternoons at Lantern.
4221 GARRETT RD. DURHAM • 919.493.1204
ExperienceTheEdge.com | UprightAthlete.com 26
chapelhillmagazine.com
May/June 2021