This National Endowment for the Arts “GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story” video series is meant to be an entertaining and inventive way to engage with the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason Reynolds.

The Challenge

According to Reynolds, the “Write. Right. Rite.” is all about learning the ritual of “authentic”—not to be confused with “correct” or “exact”—expression. Throughout the series, he will share his passion for storytelling while discussing topics like creativity, connection, and imagination. At the end of each video, Reynolds will share a prompt that encourages young people to work toward a specific idea. The activities are fun-filled and some are more challenging than others, but Reynolds always makes sure to include brainstorming “get-you-going” questions.

Resources

Choose the most current challenge or the one that is of most interest to you. Then click on the title to watch Jason's short video explaining the challenge and start writing!

• Create a Special Recipe (May 15, 2020)

• Create a Book Cover (May 12, 2020)

• Write About a New Invention (May 7, 2020)

• Tell the Story of Jason's Tiny Neighborhood (May 5, 2020)

• Write the First Line of a Story (April 30, 2020)

• Respond to Piece of Art (April 28, 2020)

• Imagine Your Loved One is 15 Years Old (April 23, 2020)

• Your Hero Writes You a Response Letter (April 20, 2020)

• Create a Fictional Tattoo (April 16, 2020)

• Create an Award for Yourself (April 14, 2020)