Calle a Calle
Current Project
SUMMARY
Participation in music programs, especially those rooted in cultural traditions, has been shown to have a positive impact on youth development. Music programs foster creativity, discipline, and a sense of community. Corridos Tumbados, a contemporary fusion of traditional Mexican storytelling with urban music styles, has gained global popularity, particularly resonating with Latino youth in urban settings like South Central Los Angeles.
To support this movement, students from USC’s Thornton School of Music and Dornsife Department of Political Science and International Relations have collaborated to empower youth in creating and performing Corridos Tumbados. They provide resources, instruction, and mentorship. This project partners with A Place Called Home, South LA Café and City of Angels Boxing to engage youth and the community in music, cultural expression, civic engagement, and voter education. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment within the community.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
- Empower youth to create and perform Corridos Tumbados, expressing their unique stories and perspectives on political and social issues most salient to their communities.
- Validate and amplify cultural identities, particularly for Black and Latino youth in South Central Los Angeles, partnering with APCH to address pertinent policies affecting the community.
- Facilitate songwriting sessions guided by USC students of politics and social justice, focusing on themes of love, hardship, and street life reflective of urban realities.
- Ensure accessibility to musical equipment for the duration of the program and provide mentorship to foster a supportive and culturally rooted community environment.
