Leader Interview: Celina Miranda, Recipient Of The Lewis Prize

The Lewis Prize for Music, which invests in music leaders to facilitate positive change and increase access to music education, announced its latest group of awardees in January of 2021.

We had the opportunity to connect with Celina Miranda, Ph.D., who draws on her extensive experience in youth development and philanthropy, as well as her own lived experience, in her current role as Executive Director of Hyde Square Task Force.

Creative Generation: What is your origin story? How did you start doing the work you do?

Celina Miranda, Ph.D.: My story begins in my home country of El Salvador. My work at Hyde Square Task Force is deeply rooted in my lived experiences as a daughter of immigrants, an immigrant myself, and a first-generation college student. I see myself reflected in the lives of the mostly brown and black youth we work with. Growing up in a mostly low-income city in Southern California was not easy. I was fortunate to have supportive parents and caring adults who encouraged me to finish high school and go to college. While to some this may seem minor, this was not the case for youth in my hometown. Going to college was the exception, not the norm. Once in college, I realized that very few “kids like me” made it to institutions like Smith College. This experience launched my career in education and social work. 

I have dedicated my career to increasing opportunities for youth. My doctoral studies focused on positive youth development, with a particular interest in centering and uplifting youth voice. While I was on a path to become a scholar, I realized that a strictly academic trajectory was not for me. It felt too removed from the work that had fueled my career choice; this led me to philanthropy, where I spent ten years focused mostly on K-12 education and creating opportunities for youth. Five years ago I felt a calling to be closer to the work I so strongly believe in, which is what led me to where I am now. 

At Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF), we believe that communities are strongest when they create the conditions that youth need to succeed and thrive. As a result, our mission is to amplify the power, creativity, and voices of youth, connecting them to Afro-Latin culture and heritage so they can create a diverse, vibrant Latin Quarter and build a just, equitable Boston. At HSTF, I see first-hand the power that creativity has to transform the lives of our young people and our community. I believe HSTF is using one of the most powerful tools to ensure our youth reach their full potential and are equitably reflected in Boston’s culture and leadership. 

CG: As times have changed - especially in the last year - how have you adapted or seen your program change to respond to the needs of your community?

CM: The double pandemics we have experienced over the last year have affected our programs. Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted our youth and their families. To meet the moment, we added basic needs support to our work. We also increased our social emotional support to make sure our youth had someone to turn to, as they struggled with grief and deep losses as a result of the pandemics. In response to Covid-19, we moved to virtual programming to make sure that our youth continued to have access to quality creative youth development programming and other supports they have come to rely on. In this time of racial reckoning, we also took the time to listen to our youth and pivot our civic engagement work to heavily focus on police reform and racial justice. 

CG: As an adult working with young creatives, what is the most essential element to cultivating their creativity?

CM: Young creatives need the space to be heard and thrive. Their voices are critical to the moment we are currently experiencing not only locally, but worldwide. I believe it is important to give young creatives the space to explore their beliefs, name the injustices they experience, and use their voice to advocate for change. 

Our fantastic Senior Music Programs Coordinator, Nic Perez, often says that one of the most essential elements to cultivating a youth's creativity is getting them to believe in themselves. Youth sometimes doubt the idea or talent that they come with. It's important that we express to them that they are not coming to the table empty handed. We all have something of value to contribute.

Brenda Rodriguez-Andujar, long-time Director of Arts and Education Programs at HSTF, always highlights the importance of accepting youth for who they are. They are at such a pivotal time in their lives and allowing them to be who they are and bring that forth is HUGE. Youth are often stifled at first so when we provide a safe environment where they can be themselves, they flourish.

CG: How have you seen young people apply their creativity for good?

CM: At Hyde Square Task Force, I have the privilege of seeing youth apply their creativity for good all the time! Our youth use music, theatre, and dance to raise their own consciousness and that of others. Their heightened awareness is then applied to specific organizing campaigns that seek to make transformative change in their community. 

Music is such a powerful medium that allows youth to amplify their voice and address topics that might be harder for them to talk about. Nic frequently shares how he sees youth address issues affecting them and their community through the songs that they write. Even if they never decide to perform the music, he sees how beneficial it is for them to work through their thoughts/emotions through their songwriting.  

Brenda is always impressed with how youth voice what is important to them, their communities, the city, or the world. Youth are hungry for opportunities to share and just need the platform that is right for them to do so.

CG: What should we all be thinking about for the future of the fields of arts, education, and social change? 

CM: Our world is rapidly changing. Technological advances and ever-growing social disparities make it imperative that we equip young people with the skills they will need as they navigate a future filled with uncertainty, yet promise. The arts are a powerful vehicle to learn critical skills such as adaptability, teamwork, ingenuity, and perhaps most importantly, a way of engaging in social transformation. We need our youth to lead us to a more just and equitable society!