Turning youth into leaders through arts and advocacy (and flash mobs)

On a piping hot Wednesday in July, 39 Boston teens clad in matching red T-shirts took to the city streets for a series of high-energy flash mob dance performances. This choreographed performance wasn’t just for fun; it was a crucial part of their summer job.

For nearly 15 years, the Boch Center City Spotlights Teen Leadership Program has been fostering a lot of the arts in local teens, creating opportunities for them to develop their skills and learn about professional opportunities. The paid six-week employment program this summer includes 39 teens representing 12 Boston neighborhoods and 21 Boston-area schools.

The program exists at the nexus of the arts and social justice. Each year revolves around a theme; this summer’s theme is immigration. Teens learn professional skills, attend workshops with professional artists and participate in group actions like an advocacy day at the Massachusetts State House and the flash mob. The program culminates with a group showcase performance this month.

“We’re really looking for teens who are interested in social change, are interested in strengthening their communities, making them a better place,” said Corey Evans, vice president and senior director of education at the Boch Center. “We’re not necessarily looking for the best artistic capabilities, because we feel pretty strongly that we want to provide access to the arts to young people who might not have access otherwise.”

Sahra Kamara, 15, was part of the 2024-25 Teen Leadership Council, which gave her the automatic option to participate in this summer’s edition of the program. In the fall and winter, she focused on music and now she’s prioritizing dance.

“I really think this program helps a lot with confidence and allowing yourself to be expressive and creative in many different forms,” said Kamara. “It’s just all about persevering and continuing to build a community.”

Kamara described a workshop with a local poet who writes about social justice topics. The discussion touched on the current social justice issues facing the city and the students and how to use art to advocate for those causes.

The City Spotlights Teen Leadership Program creative showcase is August 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Shubert Theatre at 265 Tremont St. in Boston’s Theatre District. The production is free and open to the public.

Teens in each of the three program specialties, dance, theater and music, will work together to create original artworks in those media related to the theme of immigration.

“One of the best ways to really engage a community in a message like that is through the arts,” said Evans. “I really hope that young people gain confidence, leadership skills and advocacy skills and know that that their voice matters.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more about the program at bochcenter.org/education-community/city-spotlights-teen-leadership