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2111 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Berkeley, CA. 94704 | P: 510-486-8415 | yiberkeley.com

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This year our goal was to be unapologetic – unapologet-ically creative, outspoken, loud, crazy, opinionated, colorful and filled with love. So it only made sense for us to draw inspiration for this year’s design from Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. It’s raw. It’s real. It’s truth. It definitely doesn’t filter itself. That sums up our summer and our program perfectly. Socioeconomic status does not define us; our greatness is demonstrated through our art.

This program would not be possible without the staff, members, and supporters of the YMCA of the Central Bay Area. Your contributions to the Teen Center and the Youth Institute allow us to turn on our computers every day and create meaning-ful, unforgettable experiences. I’d also like to thank our previous Program Manager, Pegah Rahmanian, for laying the founda-tion for the true community that characterizes the YI. The Alumni that you raised for three wonderful years have truly been an example of the love, initiative and commitment that is required to keep the YI family strong. Thank you – I am eternally grateful. To Dustin, Kassie, Abel, and Diego – you have been essential in keeping this train rolling along. Thank your for your wisdom, your creativity, your energy, and your patience. The YI could never be complete without you. Finally, of course, I want to personally thank each and every member of the Youth Institute who has contributed time, energy, ideas, patience, and love to help us become such an amazing space. This magazine is by you and most certainly for you.

Brandyn J.

Program Manager,Berkeley Youth Institute

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THE NEW CLASS

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YEAR TWO

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YEAR THREE and FOUR

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STAFF

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“Music is everything. You can make a beat by stomping your feet, clapping your hands...dancing is music, singing is music and that is what attracts me to it. I grew up with music around me because of my mom and dad. When I heard that we were getting a studio I was so excited. I kept making music just to prepare for it, but when it got here, I was speechless. I could not wait to get in there...and that’s what I do, everyday...almost for 3-4 hours. Spending so much time in there is helping me learn a new set of skills. When I bring someone into the studio, I know how to work the technology and help others learn how to use it too. Having the studio is really helping me prepare to be a music producer which is what I want to study when I go to college.” - Makeda Tucker

“The lounge is a place where we can all relax and hangout. We also use it to talk about what needs to get done for the day. I really enjoy hanging out in the lounge with my friends during lunch, especially when we all fight fight over who gets to sit on the beanbag. We don’t get mad at each other or nothing, it just becomes something fun that we get to do. The lounge helps brings us closer together.” - Amaya Jones

“The lounge is where we can relax and not be in those hard chairs like in school and we also get to talk about how we feel. When Brandyn calls our groups in there or checks in with us one on one, it’s a good time to share how we are feeling and how we are doing.” - Michael Smith

“When I was a first year, the production room was a place that I looked up to. It was seen as forbidden, but that just made me want to become a part of it. It gives us all the op-portunity to achieve something and to share a lot of funny memories and bond as a community.” Lulani Sudjian-Lampkin

“The best part of the summer happened during the camping trip. During the talks around the fire, I feel it helped get the group closer together. It allowed us to hear everyone’s story and to help explain why they do what they do or how they are...I’m going to miss it.” -Michael Smith

“It was a struggle just to get there but overall, the camping trip was the best part. We had activities every-day, we got to hike...which i didn’t want to do but I liked it… we got to hang around, go swimming so we got to know each other more. I enjoyed when we got around the campfire and ate s’mores. It was a real fun experience where I got to know people more than you would know anybody else.” - Satchel Alexander

We always work hard when we are in the lab...especially when working on our projects. Sometimes it gets tough but we are always making progress. I have especially liked working on illustrator, making movie posters and seeing other groups create them. We can all look at what we have created and help each other out with feedback.” -Jaime Monroy-Nieblas

“There is plenty of space in the lab and it we have access to all of the computers and technology. I really enjoyed when Dustin was teaching us how to use photoshop and illustrator. It was really fun and because of that I now know how to use them, especially photoshop. Its so simple and easy to use.” - Karina Ayala

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