Illinois Public Media announced the launch of a new multi-media civic initiative and TV Program called “Teen Summit 2.0: The Remix” on Jan. 29, which is dedicated to creating discussions and educating the next generation of civic leaders.
Made in collaboration with The Communiversity Public Media Project, the program aims to teach teens how to engage in civic debates while building their media literacy and communication skills.
The new initiative is expanding the legacy of Black Entertainment Television’s original “Teen Summit” in the ’90s and has the support of Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and a University alum.
Johnson stated in the announcement that the initiative creates a new chapter in expanding “Teen Summit’s” legacy. Since the initiative will take place at the University, she looks forward “to working with Illinois Public Media and the Teen Summit team throughout the launch and engaging with the exceptional teens who will shape its future.”
Malaika McKee, professor in Education and the co-creator and executive producer of “Teen Summit 2.0: The Remix,” wrote in the announcement that the initiative is meant to bring more perspectives to complex issues.
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She went on to say the initiative will allow them “to honor the legacy of the original program while expanding its reach through public media, education and community-centered storytelling.”
Auditions have been underway since early February as IPM prepares to begin taping in March after selecting participating youth aged 15-19 years old.
Reginald Hardwick, news & public affairs director at IPM and co-executive producer, shared that the show will air on WILL-TV and will consist of a four-episode pilot.
“I think there is a need for in-depth conversations, and some of these folks talked about their experiences, and I just think we need to hear them,” Hardwick said. “The show will be racially diverse; we really want to hear from teenagers across the spectrum.”
According to Hardwick, the show will appeal to a younger audience. Short clips posted on social media, multiple domains to access it and viral moments could generate a following for the show, the producers hope.
“It is my goal, and why I am in public media, to really elevate voices that we do not hear from, and involve folks,” Hardwick said. “So I think if the show is going to survive, we definitely need to grab the audience that so many other platforms have done so so easily.”
