Stomping Grounds at Illinois Youth Center Holiday Showcase
- Elgin Smith
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Celebrating Youth Creativity, Growth, and Community
The Holiday Showcase was a powerful celebration of youth talent, creative achievement, and community care. Held in a warm, festive atmosphere, the event brought together young artists, teaching artists, staff, and community partners in the gym of the IYC Chicago facility to honor a season of growth and transformation through music and poetry. SGLAI provided audio production and music for the event.
The evening opened with group holiday caroling—songs like “This Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” set a joyful, inclusive tone. Poet and host Antonio Monics energized the room, encouraging the youth to embrace joy and not be afraid to show happiness. His presence helped establish the night as both celebratory and affirming.
Youth Performances: Jarvis & Antwon
At the heart of the showcase were performances by Jarvis and Antwon, two young artists whose dedication and focus defined this program cycle.
Collaborative Performance: The pair opened with a joint performance that immediately captured the room's attention. Their lyrics explored themes of loyalty, loss, and lived experience, delivered with maturity and intention. Staff proudly noted that the song contained no profanity, reflecting the artists’ commitment to creating clean, radio-ready music.
Listen to their full performance Solo Performances: Antwon performed emotionally resonant songs centered on love, grief, and personal reflection. Jarvis followed with deeply introspective pieces addressing anxiety, trust, and growth. Each performance demonstrated how far both artists had come in finding their voices and refining their craft.
Antown and Jarvis performing together
Major Milestones & Recognition
A defining moment of the evening came when Elgin Bokari, Executive Director of Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative, announced several major achievements:
Jarvis and Antwon were part of the first full Open Stage class in Stomping Grounds’ new classroom space.
Jarvis completed seven original tracks, the most songs completed during a single program cycle.
Antwon completed five original tracks, marking his first full body of recorded work.
Both artists designed their own album covers.
Jarvis received his first-ever physical CD during the event.
Antwon was also presented with his CD, with his physical album cover arriving shortly after.
These projects will be featured on the Stomping Grounds soundcloud, marking a major step in honoring youth work as professional, finished art.
Teaching Artist Spotlight: Damon Williams
This cycle marked Damon Williams’ first year as a teaching artist with Stomping Grounds. Damon led Thursday creative writing workshops, introducing youth to new artists, lyrical analysis, and expanded approaches to storytelling and self-expression.
On Fridays, Elgin Bokari guided youth through audio recording, beat selection, editing, and radio edits. All beats were selected collaboratively, ensuring the youth maintained ownership over their sound while learning professional production standards.
Following the event, Damon shared this reflection with Elgin:
“It’s really beautiful the way you pour into the space and the transformative presence you are for them. I am super proud of you.”
Elgin responded:
“Thank you, brother. It’s an honor to share this journey with you.”
Their partnership modeled collaboration, respect, and shared purpose—values reflected in the youth’s work.
Community Support & Celebration
The showcase also honored the many partners who helped make the evening possible. Support included gifts from Newis Ark Foundation and Apostolic Faith Church, food donations from Sylvia Delgado, and continued encouragement from University Church Black Lives Matter Committee, represented by Martha Younger White, who shared plans to host the youth at a future event.
Staff members, tutors, and community advocates reinforced a clear message: these young people are seen, supported, and valued.
A Milestone for Stomping Grounds
During the celebration, Elgin Bokari announced that Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative is now officially a nonprofit organization, marking a major milestone in the program’s growth and sustainability.
He emphasized that completing a full album during a single program cycle is not only possible but also achievable with focus, preparation, and commitment. Jarvis and Antwon exemplified that standard, arriving each week ready to work and finishing each project with care.
Looking Forward
The Holiday Showcase was more than a performance; it was a reflection of what happens when young people are given space, trust, and high expectations. Through music, poetry, and community support, the evening affirmed the power of creative expression as a tool for healing, growth, and possibility.
Stomping Grounds looks forward to continuing this work supporting youth voices, building pathways for artistic development, and celebrating the brilliance already within them.