Exciting news! This January, we received one of The Lewis Prize for Music’s coveted Infusion Awards – a generous multi-year support recognizing our commitment to exceptional programming centering youth leadership and social-emotional development!
Founded in 2017 by philanthropist Daniel R. Lewis and CEO Dalouge Smith, The Lewis Prize supports exemplary leaders across the United States who use music for positive and equitable systems change. The Lewis Prize recognizes the value of Creative Youth Development (CYD) organizations, which merge positive youth development with artistic development in settings that prioritize equity, youth voice, and collective action.
Among the past winners of this esteemed recognition are our colleagues in Providence, Community MusicWorks, our colleagues in Connecticut, INTEMPO, our friends in Tennessee, Memphis Music Initiative, where Executive Director Lecolion Washington formerly served as Director of In-School Programs, and our neighbors across town at Hyde Square Task Force. We’ve witnessed the incredible and powerful ways these organizations support their youth and are grateful to be recognized among such deserving peers.
In this year’s grant cycle, 261 organizations applied from 42 U.S. states and territories. We were overjoyed to learn in September that we had been selected as one of the final eleven organizations under consideration. This final stage of the application gave us an opportunity to showcase our programs in an all-day site visit with The Lewis Prize staff. Through captivating student performances, heartfelt interviews, and a tour led by our youth employees, we shared our vision – a future where each student feels valued and empowered to forge their own musical journey – with the panel and eagerly awaited their decision.
At that point, if you follow our newsletters and social media, you may have seen this headline in November 2023, “CMCB Is in The Lewis Prize Accelerator Awards Finals!” Still unsure what decision lay ahead, we relished in the outpouring of support from our community and peers. And finally, in January 2024, we received the exciting news that celebrated CMCB’s commitment to creating empowering, learner-centered, and culturally inclusive arts experiences for every student who participates in our programs.
We are honored to be laureates among so many amazing peer organizations dedicated to youth development from Guam, to Juneau, to Puerto Rico, and everywhere in between. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients! Learn more about the 2024 Awardees at www.thelewisprize.org
“These programs prove that when young people’s artistry, cultural heritage, and leadership are nurtured by caring and committed adults, everyone benefits. The Lewis Prize for Music seeks to inspire more investment in these wonderful organizations and the entire creative youth development field across the country.”
Dalouge Smith, CEO, The Lewis Prize for Music
This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and sincerity of those students, alumni, faculty, staff, and board members who represent CMCB every day. We are so grateful to have such an amazing and inspiring community. Thank you to all for your support in helping us become the CMCB you know today!
