High School
Storytelling for Careers

Ada Grace O’Connor and Jane Mathis Alexander Fettus’ film, “Creating Better Food Futures,” discussed important issues around food insecurity.

The Mosaic Film Experience and Newman's Own Foundation announce the winners of the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change. A national youth mobile film competition that explores food justice through storytelling, guests in studio share the experience.

Two Ravenna teens are among the 10 winners of the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change, a national mobile film competition focused on food justice.

In a West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology classroom, future sound engineers, directors and photographers moved like a well-oiled machine alongside film industry mentors, transforming the space into a film set.

Nourishing Narratives invites youth ages 13 to 18 from across the United States to explore food justice through short films created entirely on mobile devices.

One winner from Michigan was announced in the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change contest.

Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation today announced the winners of the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change, a national youth mobile film competition that explores food justice through storytelling.

Students looking to become storytellers also participated in a special summer program, called Living Histories: Grand Rapids at WMCAT. This year, the focus of the program is on Grand Rapids nonprofit leaders.

Collectively, they bring expertise across storytelling, media production, marketing, governance and education, aligning with the organization’s focus on expanding access to creative career pathways.

The initiative encourages students to respond to a central question: What’s your powerful public school story? The submission deadline is May 31, 2026, with three students selected to receive prizes valued up to $500.

Grand Rapids-based nonprofit Mosaic Film Experience has appointed actor, producer and entrepreneur Aldis Hodge and Washington, D.C.-based consultant Valarie Clark, MPA, to its advisory board, strengthening the organization’s national leadership and expanding its reach in youth storytelling and creative career development.

Storytelling is a powerful tool for connection, creativity, and change. That idea took center stage at the 2026 Namibia Film Week in Windhoek, where Mosaic Film Experience Founder and President Skot Welch joined global partners to explore how storytelling can unlock new possibilities.

Students are encouraged to explore real-world solutions, highlight individuals and organizations making a difference, and reimagine a more equitable food system.

GR teen filmmakers share mobile-made stories on food justice and identity at Mosaic Film Experience screening, highlighting youth voices and community connections.

Created by students Morgan Hawkins and Sukey Hayden of D.C. International School, “Food Justice East of the Anacostia River” explores Fresh Food Factory, a Black woman–owned business working to combat food apartheid in Southeast D.C.

Created using only a mobile device, “Tomorrow Starts Now” was selected as one of 10 winners in Nourishing Narratives: Youth Stories for Change, a national mobile film competition hosted by Mosaic Film Experience in collaboration with Newman's Own Foundation, the private grantmaking foundation started by legendary actor Paul Newman.

Supported by Newman’s Own Foundation, the private grantmaking foundation started by legendary actor Paul Newman, whose mission is to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity, the competition amplifies youth perspectives on building a just and equitable food system for everyone, while supporting their growth as storytellers.

Mosaic Film Experience, Kids’ Food Basket and Celebration Cinema will host Stories That Change Us, a student film screening event on Jan. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids North, 2121 Celebration Drive NE. The event features Nourishing Narratives: Youth Stories for Change, a national mobile film competition hosted by Mosaic in collaboration with Newman’s Own Foundation, and Living Histories: Grand Rapids, a new film project created by local students and supported by Sony Electronics’ CREATE ACTION grant.

The program equipped students with mobile filmmaking skills, exposure to digital media careers, and the opportunity to learn from local and international professionals.

Supported by Sony Electronics’ CREATE ACTION grant, the program gave students hands-on experience using professional equipment while learning directly from industry mentors.

The creative leadership program is designed to empower high school students across West Michigan through storytelling, digital media, and real-world project experience.

Grand Rapids-based film program helps youth build confidence, industry connections, and storytelling skills, guiding youths like first-generation student Nuha Hussein toward a creative future.

The session was led by Phillip Boutte Jr., a concept artist, costume illustrator, and co-founder of 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio comprising primarily BIPOC artists. With nearly 20 years of experience, Phillip has helped shape characters and costumes for blockbuster films like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Jungle Cruise, Inception, The Hunger Games, and more. Phillip brought both creative brilliance and down-to-earth advice to this year’s theme: “The Power of Vision.”

One of the standout voices in this year’s lineup was Joshua Leonard, a nationally acclaimed character designer and member of 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio made up primarily of BIPOC artists. His personal journey and professional achievements embodied the event’s mission to inspire the next generation of creators.

Among the featured speakers was Barry Brown Jr., an accomplished illustrator, concept artist, and member of 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio composed primarily of BIPOC artists. Barry’s creative journey has taken him from personal loss to working on blockbuster films and series, such as Wicked and Marvel’s What If…?

Nearly 500 students from across West Michigan gathered at Celebration Cinema North on November 6 for the 2025 Mosaic Event. Now in its 14th year, this high-energy, immersive day of creativity, technology, and career inspiration offers students access to industry-leading professionals and interactive workshops. This year’s theme, “The Power of Vision,” invited students to imagine how bold ideas and storytelling can shape not only their futures, but the world.

At Mosaic Film Experience, students are invited to attend lectures on a variety of topics — including artificial intelligence, improvisation, camera technology and other filmmaking techniques.

Grand Rapids is turning purple this November as creativity, community, and cause collide at the Mosaic Film Experience Funkraiser. On Friday, Nov. 7, The Venue at The Candied Yam will host an evening of music, connection, and inspiration—all to support Mosaic’s mission of empowering West Michigan youth through storytelling and career exploration.

A purple-themed dance party with a purpose is coming to Grand Rapids. On Friday, November 7, the Mosaic Film Experience Funkraiser will bring together national creative professionals, local leaders, and community members for a high-energy night of music, dancing, and fundraising to support career exploration and storytelling programs for youth in West Michigan.

The event, part of the national Nourishing Narratives mobile film competition, brought together student filmmakers, educators, food advocates, nonprofit leaders, and national media professionals for a dynamic conversation that explored how youth storytelling can drive awareness, advocacy, and change. Here are five takeaways from the evening.