Having been a leader all my life, I've been empowered & denied thruout. So I have an astute concept of EMPOWERMENT. I totally relate to the stigma, negative & lingering effects on individuals, groups, & communities due to systematic processes such as DISCRIMINATION, MAGINALIZATION, & GENTRIFICATION that negate both their human value & existence. Evidenced my own denial of art lessons. Such is life in America! There's a profound chasm which exists when attempting to find a balance between empowerment & abuse of power in a capitalistic society. Our place within these spectrums can often be determined by how we're able to exchange or navigate it. The paradox is EVERYONE has the ability to IMPART or RECEIVE it. At "Y I" we seek to employ a coherent framework to meet those negatively afflicted directly at their state of vulnerability, & seek to restore them to a place of dignity & stability.