Who we are

About us

New Orleans youth have a lot to say, and too often they are told to “be quiet” or overlooked. We ask them to Be Loud. When youth are trusted to lead and share their stories, their confidence grows and their mental health improves.

It doesn’t stop with them. When youth are heard and connected, they don’t just feel better. They help our city become more caring, creative, and connected.

Be Loud students laughing together in front of a Be Loud step-and-repeat banner

Since 2019

Our impact

Watch our kids be loud

Hear their stories. In their voices.

Tune in every Saturday, 10AM on 102.3FM WHIV

Listen now

Our history

Amplify student voices.

Be Loud Studios was founded by two teachers in January 2018 after a shared observation: their STEM class fully engaged students who were academically disengaged in other spaces. One student refused to write or participate when given academic work. Given the mic, he filled pages with his ideas and rushed to school to record his words.

That spark revealed how deeply students need real-world practice with creative technology — an outlet to speak up and be heard.

The energy grew the project into a school-wide, student-run radio station. We printed T-shirts and recorded nearly 100 students in the first six months, broadcasting the show during carpool hours. In March 2019 we launched Be Loud Studios as an independent 501(c)(3).

Be Loud has since worked with over 5,000 teens and 50 schools and organizations.

By the numbers

The receipts

of kids in Be Loud report a higher level of confidence.

Specifically on skills like recording with a microphone, writing, editing and mixing, and sharing their work publicly.

new friends made, on average, by every DJ.

Building these connections increases the capacity of youth to grow and make mistakes.

of DJs felt safe and comfortable being themselves.

We are serious about building positive and inclusive culture alongside youth.

0%+

of families would recommend our program to others.

As well as reporting that their kids feel safe and heard in our programs.

of DJs say they have a friend at Be Loud.

Connection first: friendship and peer support are the foundation of every session.

of DJs say adults here know them and care about them.

Mentors show up consistently, so kids know the studio is a space built around them.

of DJs gained confidence with recording and mic setup.

Real gear, real training — competence built session by session, from levels to final mix.

of Junior Producers got the training they needed to succeed.

And 87% feel confident mentoring younger DJs — leadership that keeps paying forward.

What our kids are saying

Voices from Be Loud

Sometimes it can be hard to show pride. Pride is something, a part of you, that no one should be able to take away from you or judge you about it.

DJ Storm

What I feel when I hear Black Lives Matter is… I feel… I feel like I am ready to fight for justice.

DJ Gossip

Fear is something hard. Almost impossible to overcome. But if you face it, you no longer have it.

DJ Atla

Some people may say that you are too little for this or you're not old enough but you can do beyond what they think.

DJ Turn Up The Music

One thing I learned during the Coronavirus pandemic is to not take the little things in life for granted like hanging out with grandparents or going to the movies.

DJ Dice

Read about Be Loud Studios