Community Impact through Music

The Lewis Prize for Music believes that music in the lives of young people is a catalytic force to drive positive change in our society. We’re committed to recognizing and investing in leaders who are advancing positive change for young people through music.


Meet the 2024 Awardees

Get to know these phenomenal organizations from across the country that positively impact their communities by centering equity, youth voice, and collective action.

The Lewis Prize for Music is thrilled to announce our 2024 Awards Recipients. This year, we are distributing over $3 million to Creative Youth Development (CYD) music organizations.

#CreativeYouthDevelopment #TheLewisPrize


Music Podcast Amplifying Youth Voices

Hosted and led by youth from across the United States, Blank Note Podcast is a 3-Part series providing a relatable glimpse into the world of young musicians as they connect with music industry leaders Kirk Franklin, Nate Werth, and Braxton Cook.

The Lewis Prize for Music and Save The Music Foundation have teamed up to launch this innovative music podcast series. We’re amplifying youth voices and supporting young musicians with impactful opportunities for creative expression.


The Lewis Prize for Music is excited to launch the new Producing Well-Being Report, which examines the cross-sector connections between Creative Youth Development (CYD) and Workforce Development.


ACCELERATING CHANGE VIDEO SERIES

The Lewis Prize for Music, in partnership with Accelerator Awardees from across the country, presents “Accelerating Change: Creative Youth Development Across the United States.” These short films compellingly represent the outstanding work carried out by CYD organizations in equipping young people to be leaders in their communities.

Our 2024 Accelerating Change Series was produced in partnership with HHN2L: Hip Hop Into Learning, Mana Maoli, Memphis Music Initiative, RYSE Youth Center, INTEMPO, We Are Culture Creators, The Heartbeat Music Project, and The Lewis Prize for Music.


The Lewis Prize for Music aimed to create a space to learn about the various ways rural music-based CYD took place. This report invites you to learn about the work and journey of organizations in the Appalachian, Black Belt Southern, Borderlands and Indigenous regions.


What is Creative Youth Development?

 

Learn more about Creative Youth Development (CYD)

Get to know The Lewis Prize for Music’s role as a philanthropy and movement for positive change.

 

 Accelerating #YouthVoice

The Lewis Prize for Music collaborated with the Tamron Hall Show for our national announcement of the Accelerator Awards.

Watch the Monday (12/12/2022) episode of the Tamron Hall Show as youth from HHN2L: Hip Hop Into Learning, Mana Maoli, and Memphis Music Initiative discuss the impact of their organizations alongside The Lewis Prize for Music’s CEO, Dalouge Smith.


Get to Know Our Awardees

influencing youth-serving systems so young people have access to learning AND creatiVE experiences that reflect their culture and identity. 

The Lewis Prize for Music awardees do extraordinary work in cities across the United States to advocate for communities, foster creative engagement, and support the holistic well-being of youth.