Behind the Bars
Behind the Bars is a unique music-centered cognitive-behavioral group curriculum for middle and high schoolers.
Held at The BRO Space as well as off-site and popup locations, each session uses lyrics from popular music and poetry as catalysts for personal exploration and growth.
Through facilitated workshops, group discussion, text analysis, journaling, and poetry, participants explore themes including mental health, violence, gender norms, societal inequity, peer pressure, and financial literacy in a mindful, mediated format. You can check out one of these amazing sessions for yourself by watching Behind the Bars Ep1 on YouTube.
🕑 50 mins
Off-site session about Perception vs. Reality at Brownsville Academy
This shorter session clip, recorded at an off-site location, at Brownsville Academy High School, highlights the program's adaptability. Watch participants engage in a critical discussion sparked by a Kendrick Lamar song.
🕑 8 mins
Our Approach
Each song is unique because we ensure that they cover the five areas of emotional intelligence (also known as emotional quotient or EQ). Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence helps build stronger relationships, succeed at school and work, and achieve your career and personal goals. It can also help you to connect with your feelings, turn intention into action, and make informed decisions about what matters most to you.
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Controlling impulsive feelings, managing your emotions in healthy ways, and adapting to change
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Having empathy and understanding the emotions, needs, and concerns of others
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Managing relationships with others, communicating effectively, and handling conflict constructively
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The ability to make responsible choices and accept their outcome
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The ability to recognize your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values, and understand their impact on others
The Written Outcome: Soundtrack of My Life Vol. 1 ✍🏽
Our most recent cohort of the Behind the Bars program, conducted at Brownsville Academy High School, culminated in this powerful book of writings and images created by our young men. Browse the book, read the reflections, and think about the music and lyrics that speak to you and your life journey.
