In response to disturbances and “teen takeovers” in downtown Winston-Salem, the
Winston-Salem Police Department presented a Youth Protection Ordinance request to
the Winston-Salem City Council which became effective on June 22, that applied to
teens 17 years or younger and extended from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Even before the curfew was instituted, Action4Equity (A4E), together with Thriving
Forsyth, was at work creating alternative activities for teens in Winston-Salem. A unique
program within A4E was begun called How Are The Children campaign that partnered
with other community groups to create a calendar of events and activities that included
free monthly youth nights at MIXXER, $5 First Fridays at Kaleideum, and more.
According to their website, “Summer After Dark is a community-led effort to create a
series of free events for youth 13-17 and their families across the city this summer –
created by neighbors, shaped by community, and rooted in connection, safety, and joy.”
Volunteers and community partners have been the key to the success of this endeavor.
Carrena Sherrill, the program lead for Summer After Dark, along with the core team of
committee members: Candice Blackwell (Triad Restorative Justice); Mike Presnell,
(YEP! Habitat Forsyth); and Sharon Frazer (Governor’s Youth Violence Task Force PIT
Crew), reported several accomplishments over the summer, including building
relationships with 20+ partners across youth services, recreation, public safety, arts,
media, faith communities, local government, and grassroots organizations.
On Friday, Aug. 7, Kaleideum’s First Friday event welcomed teens, as well as families,
to enjoy the museum at a reduced rate of $5. In an interview with Carrena Sherrill of the
Summer After Dark program and Elizabeth Dampier, CEO of Kaleideum, Sherrill said
that they are “partnering with our friends at Kaleideum here in downtown Winston-
Salem to give our kids, specifically our teenagers, a safe, fun place to be at night, from
5-8.”
Dampier added that “having teenagers having a place to go is really important to us as
well. We operate First Fridays for families every month from 5-8, and this is giving us a
particular opportunity to focus on teenagers.”
For the Aug. 7 event, teens were treated to food, beverages and ice cream from Dream
Kreams Artisanal Creamery. There were activities throughout the museum except for
the rooftop area that was closed due to weather. The Digital Dome offered karaoke and
there was a Wii station with lots of choices of games.
Dashae Jackson was playing Wii with her son, Zaire Jackson, age 13, and they were
enjoying a friendly competition. Zaire was shy about admitting he was having fun with
his mom. He said he didn’t usually hang out with his mom on Friday nights, but this was
a special night. He had also enjoyed the art activities at the museum and his mom said
they were going to check out karaoke next. When asked if he would be singing, he
shook his head an emphatic “No!”
Dampier also mentioned that Kaleideum is open to teenagers 13 and older every day to
come in without a guardian. She mentioned that they have a code of conduct that they
ask every visitor to abide by no matter what age. “Fridays are something where we have
a reduced admission that makes it a little bit easier for friends to get together and hang
out in the space together.”
Dampier added, “We want to see a bunch of families, we want to see teenagers, we
want you to find your place here, we want you to find your passion, we want you to try
something new.” The next First Friday will be held on Sept. 4 from 5-8 p.m. Tickets can
be purchased on their website or at the door.
Kaleideum After Dark, held on the second Saturday each month, is for adults 21 and
over and includes special activities and adult beverages for purchase. It offers adults a
time to come out, explore the museum, and just play.
Kaleideum also hosts Nerd Night once a month where three speakers give a 20-minute
talk about their specialty. On the recent Friday night, the speakers discussed eye
problems and aging, the RiverRun International Film Festival, and anime. The room
where this is held also has a bar offering wine and small charcuterie boxes for sale, but
they must be consumed inside this room only.
Another partner with the initiative is Mixxer. They are hosting Mixxer Mondays on the
second, third and fourth Mondays with various creative activities for teens. There are
also mentors on site to help teens with their creative projects.
Watch the interview with Elizabeth Dampier and Carrena Sherrill:
Check out the schedule for Summer After Dark for teens here:
https://www.howarethechildrenws.org/calendar
For more information and the full schedule of the museum’s offerings, please go to
kaleideum.org.