The West Philadelphia String Music & Mentorship Program (WPSMMP)
- The West Philadelphia String Music & Mentorship Program Collective
- African American Resource Center, College Houses & Academic Services (CHAS), Graduate School of Education
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Community Partnerships Grant
The West Philadelphia String Music and Mentorship Program meets every Saturday at the University of Pennsylvania (in 15-week blocks). During each meeting, participants are immersed in the art of music, peacekeeping through restorative practices, and being engaged in a rite of passage experience.
The program’s advisors offer guidance and wisdom to help the boys navigate the journey from boyhood to adulthood through music and mentorship. The program’s mission is to cultivate the musical talents of young boys and men of color in Philadelphia, allowing them to find their voice through the string music and equipping them with the life skills and guidance needed to become confident, compassionate, and contributing members of society. The program’s vision is to create a Philadelphia where the harmonious notes of string instruments serve as a symbol of unity, hope, and transformation.
Through the combined power of music and mentorship, the program seeks to lay down a foundation where young boys of color grow into empowered men, fostering a city that heals from its past and strides confidently toward a peaceful future.