GRAND RAPIDS, MI

After attending an Above the Influence webinar in January 2011, Shannon Cohen of the Kent County Prevention Coalition engaged with Kent County teens to implement “Tag It” in their community. Teens were so energized by “Tag It” that they used the activity and related discussions to create a 30-minute Above the Influence: Kent County movie, which premiered at a local movie theater on March 22, 2011. The movie featured 11 youth, but also showcased “Tag It” photos and iCreate shots from approximately 300 youth that participated in “Tag It.” A 2-minute trailer of the movie is available at: http://vimeo.com/20308488.

Teens at the premiere of the Above the Influence: Kent County movie.

This teen is above Bullying.

I am above Being Popular and Driving Drunk.

The Kent County teens also participated in the ATI Art Project, then transferred their artwork to fabric and, with a little help from sewing machines and hand-sewers, turned the art into a quilted masterpiece that the coalition has submitted to ArtPrize, a competitive local art contest. The quilted artwork is also featured in a book created by the partner. Kent County Prevention Coalition hosted a VIP “Black & White” party with 250 guests – mostly youth – to unveil the quilt and book.

Kent County

Kent County