Helping Kids Find Their Inner Hero

CB4J helps kids in your community discover their power and voice through the 2-Hour I, Hero workshop - a fast-paced and heavily-interactive 2 part session to inspire young creatives and build their confidence through comics. 

In the first part, youth design their own one-of-a-kind hero, including a logo, identity, origin story, and powers that reflect who they are and how they want to change the world for the better. Led by CB4J’s resident artists, kids will figure out which social injustice (racism, violence, inequality, etc.) their character will fight against, and share their story in a safe and collaborative setting. Youth who participate will leave with a personalized comic celebrating their identity, creativity, and resilience that reflects their own unique story. This session fosters literacy, identity development, and critical thinking, allowing youth to express their inner strengths while imagining a better world.

In the second part, Power Pieces, kids are provided with an outlet to explore their personal experiences, how they’ve been challenged, and what they’ve accomplished, which transforms into the fuel for their heroes' powerful journey through hands-on art education. CB4J’s art staff lead youth in using damaged comic books to make personalized accessories—rings, bangles, trays, keychains, and more—using sustainable methods of decoupage and design. This session turns destruction into creation by reinforcing the idea that what’s broken can be reimagined into something powerful and beautiful. 

Contact us below to find out more about how your organization can bring the transformative power of comic books to the youth of your local community!

A Page-Turning Experience

If you’re looking for the ultimate program that brings the power of comics to life, CB4J’s 5-week workshop offers a full creative journey for young comic lovers. Participants will walk away with not only a finished comic unique to them, but improved literacy skills and a renewed sense of confidence in themselves and their creativity.

Each week is divided into different aspects of creating comics, from the foundations of crafting a hero and their mission to structured storytelling and drawing dynamic visuals. All programs are led by facilitators from the professional comic book, education and art fields—including formerly incarcerated citizens—who are ready to share their expertise and experiences with budding artists. Participants are encouraged to let imagination take charge by learning to integrate personal lived experiences into their extraordinary heroes and how to tell their unique stories with a compelling, engaging narrative flow. After refining drawing skills and polishing stories that make their characters jump off the page, heroes-in-training will debut their works of art within the supportive, safe environment of a group showcase.

This deep dive into the world of comics is perfect for organizations looking for a more comprehensive workshop experience. Young artists will come out of this experience with a fully-realized comic book influenced by their adventures while learning to build confidence, heighten self-awareness, and feel empowered to be a hero in their everyday lives.

Contact us below to find out more about how your organization can bring the transformative power of comic books to the youth of your local community!