YOUTH COLLAB COUNCIL

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Our Story
The Youth Collab Council of the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit (MM-O-DD) fosters collaboration, community, and active engagement among youth of the Detroit community and beyond through the core pillars of MM-O-DD — BRAINWORXX, Biodesign and Honoring Black Design. The MM-O-DD culture of recognizing that design impacts people and planet involves young people through the Youth Collab Council to take charge of their futures while contributing to the broader design community in sustainable ways.

Our Vision
The MM-O-DD Youth Collab Council is a vibrant community empowering young designers and creatives to lead, innovate, and inspire in a group format, drawing upon one-another’s strengths and experiences in true collaboration. By nurturing their talents and providing real-world opportunities, we prepare them for future leadership roles in the design industry and beyond, all to the benefit of people and planet.

Our Mission
The MM-O-DD Youth Collab Council mission, working in tandem with the MM-O-DD Social Council, is to cultivate and support the next generation of leaders through mentorship and hands-on experience with joint projects. By working in tandem with the MM-O-DD Social Council, our Encouragement Coaches provide guidance and support to youth to develop critical skills, build confidence, and make meaningful contributions to their communities through design.

Our Role
The MM-O-DD Youth Collab Council provides experiential learning opportunities bridging the gap between education and real-world application. We lead initiatives that encourage creativity, foster leadership, and drive social impact, while ensuring that young people have a voice in shaping the future. Through mentorship, strategic partnerships, and collaborative efforts, we create pathways for youth to gain valuable design experience, build networks, and develop the skills needed to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Our Method
Edutainment based method is most effective in that it combines fun with learning, more readily creating easily drawn upon memories within the Youth Collab Council. We partner with other organizations to enrich our Edutainment methodology and supply the needed variety and depth to the learning experiences.

Our Pillars
Biodesign: Looking at nature for design, sustainability and inspiration
BRAINWORXX: Neuro Health and the Power of Creative Expression, recognizing the brain’s unique design and balance
Honoring Black Design: Research opportunity diving into Voices=People & Choices=Careers, honoring those that came before to inspire for the future

Our Partners
On-going Civic Alliances