W-LAYC Radio
The LAYC Teen Center launched W-LAYC Radio in Fall 2018.
It is a space where youth can explore their identity, share their experiences and perspectives, and express themselves creatively.
Clickbait Variety Show
Presenting Clickbait's final project for the semester: our hottest topics, shared directly with our favorite listeners! We've got conspiracy theories, we've got urban legends, and we've got relationship advice. A little bit for everybody. Enjoy!
Where I’m From Episode 1
This is Part 1 of our Where I'm From Series. Listen to poems from David, Caleb, Joel, & Viviana, as well as answers from strangers on an important question about family.
Where I’m From Episode 2
This is Part 2 of our Where I'm From Series. Listen to poems from Marianela, Jey, Nazrawi, & Lamont as well as answers from strangers on an important question about family.
Fall 2021
Episode 1: Short Stories
In this special episode of W-LAYC teen center radio, the DJs put their writing caps on and created their very own short stories. Well with a little help. D.Js used an online plot generator to create their own dynamic tales of revenge, envy, and mystery. The results are surreal and a real treat from the creative minds of W-LAYC youth”
Episode 2: Self Portrait
“What is a self-portrait? A self-portrait is a representation of an artist that is created by the artist themself. The self-portrait can commonly be found in visual arts like painting, photography, film, and sculpture. W-LAYC’s youth D.Js were challenged to create self-portrait pieces using audio.
Episode 3: Twas the Night Before Radio
The youth at W-LAYC would like to wish you a happy holiday season with this special treat. In this festive episode of teen center radio the youth remix an old favorite. The youth DJ's have rewritten the famous poem Twas the night before Christmas and created their own special rendition titled Twas the night before radio. We hope you enjoy it with some hot cocoa and a warm blanket.
Episode 4: LETS GET SOCRATIC! (3 part series)
This fall W-LAYC youth stepped outside of their comfort zone and sat in the hot seat. The DJs were asked to debate hard-hitting questions and give their own complicated answers. In these episodes of W-LAYC, Youth were asked to give their unfiltered reactions and tasked with debating issues amongst their peers. Some minds were changed and some remain the same.
This next question is part of a special collaboration episode between W-LAYC and YPLC. Youth in YPLC created a list of complex ethical questions relating to drug legalization, abuse, and culture. Teen center DJ’s chose to discuss the topic of the legalization of lethal drugs for medical end-of-life care.
Summer 2021
Episode 1: Quarantine Survival Guide
In this special episode, youth reflect on a year in quarantine. They begin with a discussion on the things, people, and moments that got them through isolation. The youth then give their thoughts on masks as the newest fashion staple of the past year. Finally, the youth wrap up with a review of the indoor and outdoor activities that kept them sane in isolation.
Episode 2: DC Food Finders
In this episode of Teen Center Radio, Lizzie hosts her Recommendation Corner to review local D.C food spots. The youth discuss food accessibility in their neighborhoods and question the prevalence of fast food near schools. The youth wrap up with Emerson's Slow vs Fast Food, a segment exploring the local slow and fast food spots of D.C.
Talking Portraits Summer Series
The Talking Portraits Summer Series makes up six mini oral histories by Teen Center youth. These Oral histories are adapted from interviews the youth held with six D.C Changemakers, artists, and activists of the community. The full interviews are soon to be released along with the Talking Portraits exhibit developed by the youth of the summer program.
Talking Portraits Summer Series: Judy Byron
Youth speak with artist and educator Judy Byron on her journey from Theater Lover to Visual Artist.
Talking Portraits Summer Series: Steven M. Cummings
Youth speak with photographer Steven M. Cummings on the importance of resilience as an artist and the success that comes from perseverance.
Talking Portraits Summer Series: Arturo Griffiths
Youth speak with community organizer Arturo Griffiths on the founding of the Latin American Youth Center.
Talking Portraits Summer Series: Joanna Hardy
Youth speak with community organizer Jawanna Hardy on the rise of her organization GunsDownFriday and the importance of grieving as a community.
Talking Portraits Summer Series: Quique Aviles
Youth speak with poet Quique Aviles on the meaning behind his poem 'My tongue is divided into two'.
Talking Portraits Summer Series: Marjan Naderi
Youth speak with D.C Youth Poet Laureate Marjan Naderi on her first impressions of D.C and the power that rests below the city.
Spring 2021
Episode 1: Women’s History Month
For Women's History Month, the youth held a discussion on the gender pay gap and lack of women in health leadership roles. The youth looked into the presence of these barriers in their own lives by interviewing women they know.
Fall 2020
Episode 1: Impact of COVID-19 & Manifestos
Youth in radio gathered for a panel discussion about the impact that COVID-19 has had on their individual lives, communities, and their thought about how our current government has handled the pandemic. Students also wrote manifestos for the countries that they created, showcasing their desire to live in a world free of prejudice and discrimination.
Episode 2: The Impact of the 2020 Election Part 1
The 2020 election results have caused massive impacts in our country and around the world. In this episode, students from Radio and the Club virtually gathered to deliberate on the current state of the country and their opinions on the candidates. This first segment was recorded before the results.
Episode 2: The Impact of the 2020 Election Part 2
The 2020 election results have caused massive impacts in our country and around the world. In this episode, students from Radio and the Club virtually gathered to deliberate on the current state of the country and their opinions on the candidates. Students then considered what the results of Biden winning the election means for the future, what they would like for him to do in his first 100 days, and what other changes they would like to see.
Episode 3: Fall Exhibit 2020 Radio Show
Radio youth decided to focus on two major themes: Finding Balance and Resilience. They were free to express their perspectives on what the themes meant to them or how the themes connected to current issues that are impacting the world. They submitted a visual submission and an audio submission of their original creations. In this radio episode, you will hear from the students audio stories – from spoken word to personal narratives and radio shows, please enjoy 2020 fall radio’s pieces!
Summer 2020
Rainbow Talk: Self-Love & Self-Care
Knowing what one needs and how to take care of yourself is challenging — STRIPES youth brainstorm ideas of what it looks like for them and how homophobia should be challenged throughout generational gaps. This is part one of this Rainbow Talk. *This episode was recorded before COVID-19.
Rainbow Talk: LGBTQ+ Sex Ed & Representation (10:45)
What would the ideal sex education look like if it had LGBTQ+ representation and curriculum? STRIPES youth discuss it and their own experiences with navigating heteronormative classrooms and how social media plays a part in someone’s discovery of gender and sexuality. *This episode was recorded before COVID-19.
Discussing Census Myths (10:21)
Youth from the “Radio: Creative Storytelling” track gathered to deliberate over the importance of the census, examining census myths such as “the census asks for your immigration status”, “the census doesn’t benefit society” and “the census is not confidential”. This led to deep discussions about gentrification in D.C., opinions about if the city is segregated or not, and interviewed others about their views on the 2020 census. If you have any further questions or clarifications, please go to census.gov!
American Dream (10:30)
What is the American Dream? Is it real or not real? Participants in the Radio: Creative Storytelling track this past summer, deeply examine the symbolism of the American dream and its impact. In a society of “fake news” and biased journalism, students interview their parents about where they get their news from.
Skills Learning & Indigenous Peoples Day (7:07)
How do students feel about what they’re learning? Youth in Radio Creative Storytelling wondered how education could be different and how it can reflect the skills that they want to learn. Later on in the panel, students declared that Columbus Day should be changed globally to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and taking away the glorification of colonialism.
Protests & the Black Lives Matter Discussion (7:23)
In the midst of a pandemic, protests against white supremacy and police brutality have taken over the country and the world. In this panel discussion, students take this opportunity to voice their opinions, how they’re supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, what would America look like if it was based on peace, and what ways they have tried to help to spread awareness.
Spring 2020
Census in Quarantine: Questions of Race (7:41)
In this episode, youth from LAYC expressed their process in completing the 2020 Census with their families. Discussions of race and the importance of the census are featured. If you haven’t already, please go to census.gov to fill out the census or to learn more!
Census in Quarantine: Immigration and Online Forms (6:56)
LAYC students discussed how the online form was helpful for them and their concerns about immigration status. Youth elaborated on how they would distribute census funds in their community. If you haven’t already, please go to census.gov to fill out the census or to learn more
Episode 3: The Woes and Pros of COVID-19 (9:01)
In this panel discussion, youth mention how they’ve been coping during quarantine and what revelations have surfaced for them. Emphasis on how youth voices are often ignored and how high school seniors have felt graduating during a significant time in our history.