The Final Four

Promoting youth engagement through hip hop and urban arts. Giving the people of New Orleans a voice in local government. Creating democratic spaces for individuals from different cultures. Bringing together incarcerated youth to help transform the justice system. These are the goals of the Make It Your Own Awards^TM Final Four. And each will get $25,000 to help make things happen in their community!

	Citizen Participation Keith Twitchell New Orleans, LA "This project will create a permanent mechanism for the people of New Orleans to have a formal, accountable voice in city government policies and decisions," says Keith. "It will... ensure that citizens are forever empowered to determine their own quality of life."
	Crossing Borders Nan Kari St. Paul, MN "Our approach is grounded in a practical democratic theory -- public work," says Nan. "It views citizens as co-producers of public things, an identity that goes well beyond the legal definition of citizen."
	Juveniles 4 Justice (J4J) Jessica Feierman Philadelphia, PA "Youth have the ideas and inspiration to work for change... " says Jessica. "Their age, incarceration, and poverty, however, often prevent them from obtaining the resources and support they need to do so."
	Leaders of the New School Asad Jafri Chicago, IL "As for a greater impact, the art produced by this project will address community issues and try to offer solutions for them as well as mobilize the community to take action whenever other issues are identified," says Asad.