Connecting with Intention

Widening the Lens is a youth-led storytelling and dialogue initiative that disrupts harmful narratives about Black and Brown youth while building belonging, agency, and shared accountability across communities. Through facilitated, student-led conversations and collective action planning, the program strengthens relationships between young people, community leaders, and institutions—transforming dialogue into tangible change.

The initiative is led by A Picture’s Worth (APW), which centers ethical storytelling, narrative change, and community-powered media, and Learning Grove / FAMILIESFORWARD, which serves as connectors to schools, families, and community partners, ensuring the work is grounded in trust, access, and local context.

Withrow High School hosted the first iteration of Widening the Lens in 2024, based on a suggestion by Withrow alum Pi’Son Brown. After two successful cohorts made up of Withrow students and community leaders, the program launch at Taft High School in winter 2026.

With each cohort, Widening the Lens evolves to include more student oversight, more community commitments and more intentional follow-through. Stay tuned to this blog space to hear directly from students from the City of Cincinnati about their accomplishments, what inspires them and what challenges they face.

Want to learn more about or support this transformative community work? Contact us today!