MISSION & HISTORY

Coastal Youth Media trains young people in coastal North Carolina to become civic leaders through journalism and storytelling. Grounded in community, our work connects people, sparks dialogue, and drives local change.

Coastal Youth Media was founded in 2018 the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, when the need for youth-led storytelling and community connection became urgent along North Carolina’s coast. What began as a grassroots response to disaster has grown into a vital media training and storytelling hub for young people across the region.

Since our founding, we’ve equipped hundreds of youth with tools in audio, film, photography, and journalism—amplifying voices often left out of the media narrative. Coastal Youth Media now works year-round in schools, libraries, and community centers, providing hands-on training and mentorship rooted in justice, identity, and place.

As we grow, we remain grounded in our original purpose: to help young people shape the stories that shape their world.

VISION

Coastal Youth Media Project envisions a vibrant future where young people across our community are empowered through media storytelling to become civically engaged leaders and collaborative problem-solvers. Our youth-driven approach fosters strong relationships, teamwork, and essential workforce skills, equipping the next generation to build equitable solutions that transform their communities.

APPROACH

• Practical media training in journalism, podcasting, and documentary production to build essential workforce skills.
• Leadership development through collaborative projects, fostering teamwork and effective communication.
• Commitment to community engagement, enabling youth to actively participate and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

VALUES

At Coastal Youth Media Project, we value:

• Empowerment. Youth have power—and we invest in it.

• Collaboration. Strong relationships are at the core of lasting impact.

• Civic Engagement. We believe young people can and should shape their communities.

• Excellence. High standards in media and leadership development.

• Innovation. Creative thinking that meets real-world challenges.

PLACE

We believe deeply in the power of place and community. Through place-based storytelling and arts-making, we lift up narratives that celebrate the strength, resilience, and character of our communities. By reflecting positive community values, our work honors local culture and identity, highlighting the stories and experiences that make each place vibrant, unique, and connected.  Through our storytelling we celebrate our community.