Your Voice is Power
Explore how music, coding
and entrepreneurship can
effect positive change


Your Voice is Power is a project-based curriculum and national remix competition that introduces the fundamentals of computer science to students through an exploration of music and social change. Across five learning modules, students engage in fun activities and thought-provoking discussions to learn how these topics intersect.
Built in collaboration with Pharrell Williams’ education nonprofit YELLOW, this one-week program challenges students to express their own voice, write code using Georgia Tech’s EarSketch platform, and create an original song remix that promotes equity.
The Your Voice is Power Remix Competition is open to elementary, middle and high school students. The Your Voice is Power project-based curriculum is designed to engage MS & HS students.
Remix Competition
Learn. Create. Compete for prizes.
Can coding + composing = promoting equity? Yes!
At the end of the learning experience, students who participate in Your Voice is Power have the option to submit their songs and equity-minded reflections into a national remix competition.
Songs with social change themes from top recording artists, including “Entrepreneur” – a celebration of Black entrepreneurship – by Pharrell Williams, “Underdog” by Alicia Keys, and “New Normal” by Khalid, provide students with inspiration and music stems for their compositions.
No experience is necessary to enter. Remixed song submissions will be judged based on music, code and message to promote equity by a panel of industry professionals.
Five students will win a $5,000 scholarship or grant to start a business, and five teachers will receive $1,000 for above and beyond instruction.
Closes: March 31
Finalists Announced: April
Closes: June 19
Finalists Announced: July
Closes: August
Grand Prize Winners Announced: August
Student remix submissions must be coded on the EarSketch platform, include songs by Your Voice is Power featured artists, promote a message of equity, and meet the following requirements.
10 Finalists per Round: $200 Amazon Gift Card + advance to the Selection Round
Two Best Young Artists (one Elementary School, one Middle School) per Round: $50 Amazon Gift Card
100 Runners-up per Round: $25 Amazon Gift Card
All teachers with ten or more student submissions will be eligible and contacted to apply.
Expand your instructor knowledge by attending any of our free training sessions.

Beatrice Dixon, Co-Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company share her Top 6 Tips for entrepreneurs and the importance of entrepreneurship and equity.

Music Technologist Chalece DeLaCoudray and Audio Engineer Mike Larson code sound layers in EarSketch. Mike Larson has worked with Pharrell as his Recording Engineer for over 10 years. Chalece was the first African American to receive a Masters in Music Technology from Georgia Tech.

Dr. Joycelyn Wilson, Assistant Professor of Hip Hop Studies and Digital Media at Georgia Tech, schools us on messaging in music and how to decode it with her groundbreaking method, The O.U.T.K.A.S.T Imagination.

Music Technologist Chalece DeLaCoudray and Audio Engineer Mike Larson code song structure in EarSketch using functions.
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Check out our ‘Your Voice is Power’ 2021 Winners
I’ve seen people not having the resources to benefit one’s self due to racial injustice and what happens when they make the best out of what they have. I also have a bigger understanding of stereotypical things people tend to expect when they see black people. People get so surprised when they see a black person as an entrepreneur, but like anyone else they’re doing what they have to do to make a living. Lately I’ve tried to do what I can to inspire others. I can promote equity by encouraging others to use their talents and passion to make their own sources of income, so they don’t have to answer to anyone. They could create jobs for the overall community. Through the YVIP Competition I learned that I could do something I love while also coding.
Beyuti Burrows, Grade 9, Martha Ellen Stillwell School of the Arts, Jonesboro, Georgia -
Check out our ‘Your Voice is Power’ 2021 Winners
During the course of the YVIP unit, I learned a lot about what it means to be an entrepreneur, especially one who is in the minority category. As a minority myself, it was interesting seeing the different perspectives and experiences from these black entrepreneurs and how they were able to flesh out their business and still prosper with the added hardships that an otherwise privileged white person wouldn’t have. Along with that, I’ve also learned a lot about coding too. This class was the first time I’ve coded anything so it was interesting to learn how python works and how many functions can be used to execute a simple or complex task.
Diego Martinez, Grade 12, Lane Tech High School, Chicago, Illinois -
Check out our ‘Your Voice is Power’ 2021 Winners
This experience has taught me that there are creative and innovative ways to break down racial barriers. Through programs like EarSketch, young artists can create music without having access to a state-of-the-art recording studio. I was able to combine my love of music and newfound knowledge of computer science to share a critical message about racial inequality in today’s society. I hope my song reminds listeners that the time for change is now, and if we don’t actively fight towards racial equity today, we will never reach it tomorrow.(Required)
Jasmine Jenkinson, Grade 12, Elmvale District High School, Elmvale, Ontario -
Check out our ‘Your Voice is Power’ 2021 Winners
I came into this competition as part of a school assignment, but it became so much more than that. It is all about supporting black entrepreneurship, thus promoting equity, and I hope that my music can help that cause. Along the way, I learned so much about Python. I kept exploring and testing, and was amazed to discover the unique possibilities that EarSketch offers! It led to many challenges, but all of it was worth it. I will use what I’ve learned from this experience to make even better music and work towards supporting other causes to do more for my community.
Samuel (Sam) Kuran, Grade 9, North Springs High School, Atlanta, Georgia -
Check out our ‘Your Voice is Power’ 2021 Winners
My song serves as a reminder to black people, especially young black children, that we are capable of much more than we are given credit for. It is important for us to believe in ourselves and each other, and to appreciate the skin we were blessed with. I thought that it was a really cool idea to mix music with raising awareness on an issue that can never be talked about enough. I learned how to code music and merge different clips together to make one sound/ song. Also, I had to learn about tempo and decide which would be the best for the message of my song.
Eryon Panier, Grade 11, Palm Beach Gardens High School, Atlanta, Georgia
FAQ
How and when will winners be chosen and notified? What are the prizes?
For teachers: In June, Georgia Tech will contact any teacher with 10 or more student submissions to encourage them to apply for a special recognition prize. In August, five winning teachers will be selected and awarded a $1,000 cash prize for their work broadening access to computer science education.
If I'm a teacher, how does this fit into my classroom/curriculum?
Can my students participate in both rounds?
Can students work in teams or must they submit individually?
If I'm a student, should I complete on my own or with my class?
Do I have to use the curriculum to participate?
What languages are available and what countries can participate?
Both US and Canadian students should submit their song utilizing the final submission link inside the EarSketch platform.
What materials (hardware/software) are required?
All curriculum materials can be used digitally or can be printed out. No other equipment is required.
My class is fully virtual due to COVID-19. How will this impact my ability to deliver the curriculum?
Who can I contact for questions about the competition or for help with EarSketch?
How do students submit their final songs?
I can't attend any of the trainings but I need support. What other training options exist?
Who created the Your Voice is Power Curriculum and Remix Competition?
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION:
Sabrina Grossman, Program Director, CEISMC, Georgia Tech
Chalece DeLaCoudray, Innovator in Residence, CEISMC, Georgia Tech, chaleced.com
Joycelyn Wilson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Hip Hop Studies and DM, HipHop2020 Innovation Archive, Georgia Tech
Roxanne Moore, PhD, Senior Research Engineer, Georgia Tech
Stephanie Walters, YELLOW Foundation
Justin Funiliar, YELLOW Foundation
Mike Galliard, YELLOW Foundation
Krystal Hardy Allen, CEO, K. Allen Consulting
Jaritza Alecon, Associate Consultant, K. Allen Consulting