BALTIMORE — A collective of young artists from Baltimore City has come together to showcase their work across the city, aiming to alter the prevailing storyline around youth in Baltimore. They believe that the narrative surrounding the city’s young individuals must undergo a transformation.
As you travel on an MTA bus or stroll past one of the bus shelters in Baltimore, you may encounter a striking message conveyed by the youth: “I have been told that I am something that I am not.”
Lorenzo Lara-Parillo stands as one of the youth leaders behind the “We Are More” campaign. This public art initiative has now taken center stage at ten bus shelter sites and on various MTA buses throughout the city.
Organized by the Maryland Youth Rights and Safety Hub, the campaign seeks to confront the damaging stereotypes that frequently depict Baltimore youth as associated with crime and violence.
“I understand that I am often misunderstood, and many young people require a voice to be acknowledged; I serve as that power for them,” Lara-Parillo shared.
“When the media focuses on a few troubled youths, it can lead to a generalization that all young people share those negative traits. This creates an impression that most are aimless or lacking respect,” noted Sela Powell.
This group is determined to shift that narrative. They believe that through their displays, they can foster a deeper understanding of youth experiences and highlight the positive contributions being made throughout the city.
Sela Powell expressed her immense pride in witnessing their art in public spaces.
“We had the opportunity to create something meaningful, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it displayed. Often, young people refrain from expressing their opinions because they think their voices won’t matter,” Powell added.
The initiative reaches beyond public transportation, as youth leaders are also sharing planned social media content and inviting community members to take selfies with the displayed ads.
“Our organization is dedicated to effecting change, and we are seeing tangible results from our efforts,” Powell emphasized.
Moving forward, the leaders aim to develop new messages and storytelling campaigns, urging decision-makers, media outlets, and community figures to reconsider the way they represent Baltimore’s youth.
For this group, the intent is unmistakable: Baltimore’s young people are not universally negative, and their experiences deserve amplification.
This report was initially covered by a journalist and has been adapted for this platform with the help of AI. Our editorial team ensures the fairness and accuracy of all reported information across various platforms.
