Music Box Foundation Makes the Arts Accessible to Young People

Music Box Foundation was founded in 2018 and aims to provide music education to young people across the city of Chicago. Photo provided by Music Box Foundation.
Music Box Foundation was founded in 2018 and aims to provide music education to young people across the city of Chicago. Photo provided by Music Box Foundation.

Music Box Foundation Makes the Arts Accessible to Young People

By Tia Carol Jones

Music Box Foundation offers music education, mentoring and workforce development programs to youth, young adults and students with disabilities. The family organization was founded by Vernon Lloyd, Vernon Lloyd, Jr., Omero Siller, Deon Houston and Kijuana Carter in 2008 as a mobile service that offered music programs in the Park District. Now, the program partners with the Chicago Public Schools, for afterschool programs, the Chicago Park District and the Alternative Schools Network.

Music Box Foundation provides music education at a time when arts education is being taken out of schools. Lloyd, who knew how music transformed his life and the impact it had on his life, wanted young people in Black communities across the city to have the benefit of receiving arts education.

Carter is the COO and co-founder of Music Box Foundation and Jazmin Aaron is the Marketing Manager for Music Box Foundation. Carter said that making the arts accessible to young people is crucial and plays a transformative role in personal development, education, community building and empowerment and self-expression.

“The arts provide a powerful outlet for young people to express themselves, process their emotions and build confidence. Many of the students, especially those in underserved communities, lack opportunities to explore their creativity, and arts programs give them that freedom,” Carter said. She added that arts programs prepare students for the real world.

Carter shared that when the Music Box Foundation began at Davis Square Park, there were two bands, which included one with students who have special needs. When the students from the other band heard the students from the special needs band play, they wanted to play with them because they were so skilled. Now, that program is the community band with students of various abilities playing together. 

Aaron said having access to arts programs exposes them to careers in the arts, not just playing in a band or singing, but also being a music producer or choreographer. She said seeing the students on stage and watching them build their confidence is something that is really great to see.

Students who participate in the program can learn how to read and write music, instrumental instruction, audio and video technology, copyright music, storytelling, pre and post production. Carter said the goal is for the students to find out what they like to do within the arts. There is also an internship program geared toward helping young adults learn skills that will help them obtain jobs within the arts industry, including program management, nonprofit leadership and marketing.

Carter said team at the Music Box Foundation is motivated by the profound impacts the arts have on young people and their communities. She said seeing the transformation in the young people the program serves is rewarding for them. Aaron said it can be motivating to see the students’ confidence when they are on stage.

The Music Box Foundation’s 2nd Annual Gala will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at Dynasty Banquets, located at 4125 Calumet Avenue, in Hammond, Ind. Tickets cost $100 per person. Each year, Music Box Foundation also hosts Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The Easter Dinner will take place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29th. Saturday Sessions begin on April 5th. On Aug. 9th, Music Box Foundation will host a Block Party.

The Music Box Foundation is located at 6843 S. Harper. For more information about Music Box Foundation, visit www.musicboxfoundation.org, email info@musicboxfoundation.org or call 773-363-4844.


Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.