Andrea Wise Smith: City Treks

My name is Andrea Wise Smith and I am an African American vocalist, writer, and emerging creative professional based in Washington, D.C. I am writing to request a Tour de Force grant to fund an original live action children's show called City Treks ™. I recently made a career transition from working in local government to launching my social venture Fearless Voice Media where I create music and stories that inspire positive change. I've worked with Black youth in marginalized neighborhoods in D.C.'s Wards 6, 7 and 8 for over a decade and have seen how disconnected kids in my neighborhoods are with many of the DMV’s beautiful nature settings. I drew from my upbringing in Seattle, WA to create City Treks ™-- a fun, interactive live action educational show for children ages 4-8 years old that encourages curiosity and discovery about nature in their urban surroundings. City Treks teaches children in urban/metropolitan areas how to connect and embrace nature as a positive and vital part of their lives. The show will have original music, hands-on learning and insight from local experts to engage the young audience. This show is important because it centers Black and Brown voices to inspire learning and exploration of local green spaces for underserved communities by reflecting a positive reconnection with land and environmental stewardship as representatives of their communities. D.C. has a rich history of land stewardship so the pilot episode will take place in the city, with subsequent episodes in the surrounding metropolitan area.