Speak With Purpose (SWP)

Mission:

Speak With Purpose (SWP)

SWP exists to cultivate inclusive and creative learning spaces that allow young scholars to deconstruct the dominant narratives by using public speaking to uplift their culture, self -authored identities, and communities.

Vision:

To bridge the engagement and opportunity gap by reaching every child that is silent in the back of the classroom and inspire them to step forward to become the leaders in the front.

Background/Narrative:

Speak With Purpose (SWP) formerly known as We.APP, was founded in 2012 by Executive Director, Toyia T. Taylor, a Black woman born and raised in Seattle. During the early stages, Toyia single-handedly taught sixteen classes across three school districts, led expansion into five schools and later, added six summer programs. Today, SWP has grown into a staff of dedicated youth advocates, educators and artists who are committed to ensuring that all school-aged children are equipped to advocate for themselves during class hours and within their homes, communities, and society.

SWP is the only youth public speaking program incorporated into the school day throughout King County public schools with the purpose of integrating arts education with student voice to develop independent learners with self-authored identities. SWP adapts to the needs of each student by training diverse teaching guides to co-teach alongside classroom teachers to implement a culturally responsive and relevant project-based learning (PBL) curriculum. Our goal is to reimagine classroom learning by collaborating with teachers and students to guide their education using student agency, collectivism and voice to nurture brilliance, imagination, and leadership.

Focus:

• Public speaking integrated with performing arts, writing and presentation skills
• Grades 4th – 12th (primary focus elementary & middle school)
• Student Advocacy and Self-Empowerment
• Counter-Storytelling/Narrative
• Culturally Specific & Responsive Learning & Mentoring
• Meet and excel in writing, reading and speaking skills
• Title 1 schools and students who are LGBTQIA+, English-Language Learners, immigrants, unique
• learners, and/or foster youth.