Grantee Database
SMILE-ING BOYS INC
Grant Year
2026-27
Grant Program
Impact Projects
Award Amount
$17,500.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, S.M.I.L.E.-ING Boys Inc will collaborate with lead artist Adekunle “Kay” Rufai to deliver Seen & Heard: Reimagining Black Boyhood Through Art, a youth-centered public art and exhibition project with Black boys in South Los Angeles. CAC funds will support artist-led workshops, cultural access experiences, youth-centered art production, and a professionally presented public exhibition/community activation. Through portraiture, poetry, film, and multimedia storytelling, participants will explore identity, belonging, emotional wellbeing, masculinity, joy, and representation while co-creating work that challenges harmful narratives about Black boyhood. The project will culminate in a public-facing exhibition featuring youth-created texts, portraits, multimedia works, and community dialogue that positions young people as artists, storytellers, and cultural contributors.
Organization Summary
S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Inc. delivers creative, research-informed arts programming that supports the wellbeing, identity development, and social engagement of young people, particularly Black boys and girls aged 13–19. Our core programmes include 16-week, school-based creative arts workshop series integrating photography, poetry, and film with a happiness research framework. Participants explore themes such as identity, belonging, mental health, and gender while developing emotional literacy, self-expression, and critical thinking skills.
A key component of the programme is portraiture and visual storytelling. Participants are provided with cameras to document their lived experiences, producing original work that challenges dominant narratives and stereotypes.
The organisation produces public exhibitions and humanities-centred programming, including panel discussions, roundtables, artist talks, and wellness events, creating space for community dialogue and elevating youth voice. We also deliver educator engagement and professional development to support more inclusive, restorative school environments.
Across all activities, S.M.I.L.E-ing programmes centre arts and humanities as tools for reflection, storytelling, and cultural dialogue.
Organization
SMILE-ING BOYS INC
Address
1027 WILSHIRE BLVD APT 813
LOS ANGELES
90017-3125
County
Los Angeles
Region
South – Los Angeles & Orange
