Illinois Youth Media - documentary projects by young producers, supported by Illinois Public Media

 
The Alma Mater with the words Beyond Opening the Gates superimposed on top

Beyond Opening the Gates: Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Illinois

This project focuses on how affirmative action became part of decision-making in higher education admissions, both at the University of Illinois and more generally in the U.S. 
Rebuilding Foundations CD front cover

Rebuilding Foundations

Rebuilding Foundations follows students at University Laboratory High School to Clarksdale, Mississippi, and other Delta communities to see how Habitat for Humanity and other organizations are bringing opportunity and renewed purpose to people's lives. 
A table with produce - corn, tomatoes, squash, eggplant, and other vegetables

Plowing Ahead

Plowing Ahead: Portraits of Farming in east central Illinois explains historical trends and current farming practices and sheds light on the lives of farmers through stories of perseverance, hard work, and ingenuity.

The Right to Marry

The Right to Marry Project's goal is to explore the right to marry in contemporary American society.  This project examines changes in laws, ideas, attitudes and practices regarding interracial, intercultural and same-sex marriage from the perspectives of individuals, couples, and families in east central Illinois from the 20th century to the present.  We also seek to understand the experiences of people in non-traditional marriages, and how such experiences have evolved as laws and perspectives, in our local community and in the broader nation, have changed over time. 
six men stand together wearing Paralympic medals and waving flower bouquets

Intellectual Disabilities Project

The intellectual disabilities project focuses on the treatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the past 50 years.
military dogtags with the American flag behind

Military Personnel Project

Insights into the experiences of service members and changes in the military from the mid-20th century to the present.
City of Champaign logo

Letters to the Future

A commissioned project by the City of Champaign, IL for its 150th anniversary celebration. 
Counter Culture project logo

Beyond the Tie-Dye: Counterculture in Champaign-Urbana, 1965-1975

A look at counterculture movements in Champaign-Urbana from the 1950s to 2011
the journey toward equality at the University of Illinois

Breaking Down Disability Barriers: The Legacy of Tim Nugent

A radio documentary about Tim Nugent and his involvement in changing attitudes about disabled people and helping them to be treated as equal members of society.
Will Patterson

Year Seven of the Youth Media Workshop

Intergenerational stories by Champaign middle schools students.
a Mandala

From East to West

Journeying Through The Lives Of Asian-Americans In Champaign-Urbana
Erma Bridgewater

I Remember, I Believe

A nine-part radio series featuring the experiences of two African-American women, Erma Bridgewater of Champaign and Ruby Hunt of Urbana
A collection of photos of the students who produced Inspiration Radio

Inspiration Radio

The heart of Inspiration Radio: Relationships That Matter to Youth is a conversation between Youth Media Workshop participants and someone important to them.
Byron Hurt standing by graffiti covered wall

Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Local Response

Thirty-minutes of critical discussion about the national film, “Hip Hop:  Beyond Beats and Rhymes,” with filmmaker Byron Hurt and a diverse group of panelists before a live audience.
Three drummers drumming outside the Art Theatre

And the Beat Goes On

The story of the Douglass Center Drum Corps and Drill Team in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, during its heyday in the late 1960s