Plenary: Play On, Philly! From At-Risk to Resilient

For the millions of young people living in poverty throughout the United States, the barriers to getting an education and avoiding high-risk behaviors are almost insurmountable. Risk factors like toxic stress and lack of access to educational opportunities leave low-income children developmentally behind and perpetuate destructive cycles, including school failure, youth violence, and poverty.

Stanford Thompson believes that artists are best positioned to solve the compelling problems facing young people, communities, and our education system. Play On, Philly!, the nonprofit that he founded, uses high-quality music education to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of Philadelphia children. In this session, he draws on his own story and the story of Play On, Philly! to demonstrate how music can help build resilience in people and communities.