RAISE IT UP, MAKE AN IMPACT! Favorite 

IMAPCT are youth activists who view the creative arts and leadership training as a way to develop ourselves and change the world in a positive way. They believe that they must be the message that bring through hardwork, focus, discipline, unity and the principles of S.O.S. safe space, outstanding effort and service to their family friends and community.

Through IMPACT Repertory Theatre Performance Company – Young people use current events and their own personal experience as material to explore the issues facing young people in America. The Repertory company performs in front of over 25,000 people per year at venues ranging from the United Nations Headquarters, NYC's City Hall, hospitals, public schools as well as penitentiaries. Members of the IMPACT Repertory team participate in the following programs:
Dance: Modern, Jazz, Traditional African, Hip-Hop and Ballet
Movement: Martial Arts, Stage Combat, Stepping and Pantomime
Music: Voice, Composition, Keyboards, and Musical Theatre
Drama: Improvisation, Scene Study, Monologues, Performance and Audition Techniques Leadership: Conflict Resolution, Human Rights Activism, Public Speaking, Drug Prevention, Career Planning, Community Organizing, Time Management and Personal Growth
Writing: Poetry, Songs, Essays, Short Stories, Plays and Movie Scripts

Impact Boot Camp – Prospective members experience a twelve-week intensive leadership training program to become members of IMPACT. Here they learn the fundamentals of leadership, service and public speaking. Impact Boot Camp trainees also learn the repertory performance material.

Impact Repertory Theatre Community Service Programs – IMPACT believes the first step of true leadership is service. Every year, our members visit nursing homes, participate in block clean ups and organize food drives to assist in the health of their community.

As a community, Harlem is known for its rich culture. From artists such as Langston Hughes to Ruby Dee and the legendary Malcom X, it has boasted a citizenry that has made great contributions to American culture. This multi-faceted community has also had its fair share of violence, poverty and crime. In this video, IMPACT co-founders Jamal Joseph and Voza Rivers explain why IMPACT Repertory Theatre is, at its core, a sanctuary for the many kids who have entered its walls, providing a safe space where they can explore their full potential without fear of stigma, ridicule or recrimination. Born from an incident of violence,IMPACT strives always to promote a positive paradigm: PEACE.

"KEEP A POSITIVE THOUGHT because a positive thought CANNOT BE DENIED."

These young people are quite literally using art to spark activism and lasting change in their communities and personal lives.