Boston teens create websites at Emerson

Students from the Bird Street Community Center in Boston presented their new personal websites in a ceremony at the Beard Room on December 1 after getting mentoring from Communication Studies students and Oomph Inc. (Courtesy Photo)

Communication Studies students this week celebrated a semester-long project with the Bird Street Community Center in Boston in which they helped teens and pre-teens develop personal websites as a way to promote youth empowerment and expression.

The Emerson students, in a Capstone class taught by Scholar-in-Residence Spencer Kimball, collaborated with the local digital design firm Oomph Inc. The websites were designed in weekly sessions using Emerson’s computer labs.

“This project provides a pathway for the Bird Street students to see the importance of education,” said Neil Harris, education coordinator at Bird Street. “This will allow the students to continue their momentum in moving forward and preparing for success in their careers and in life.”

The website project was an extension of a mentorship program begun last year between Communication Studies students and faculty and Bird Street. The Emerson and Bird Street students previously produced anti-violence public service announcements.

On December 1, the Bird Street students presented their personal websites in a ceremony in the Beard Room of Emerson’s Little Building.

“In light of the events in Ferguson, Missouri,” said Lauren Amar ’15, “and the need for continued dialogue and collaboration among diverse communities, the work of this class this semester should be emulated around the country to foster stronger relationships between colleges and their communities.”