The fourth annual Glades Youth Explosion is a free event to showcase the incredible youth singers, dancers, and instrumentalists from Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay. Youth Explosion inspires and empowers at-risk youth through mentorship and the arts, providing impactful opportunities to express creativity, build confidence, and develop skills to thrive in their communities and beyond. Examples of the Youth Explosion’s impact on past participants include a young woman excelling in college, a young boy overcoming depression and suicide ideation, and an 11-year-old boy becoming an entrepreneur by using his honorarium to start a business.

Close to 100 youth aged 5-18 are expected to perform and compete for cash prizes in instrumental, singing, and dance categories at this year’s event in celebration of Juneteenth with The City of Belle Glade. Expect to see amazing local youth performances, including soloists, choirs, rappers, bands, and praise dance, tap, ballet, and step teams.

The Glades Youth Explosion is organized by Rev. Willie Lawrence, Veree Jenkins of Federation of Families of Florida, Inc., and Joel Simmons, Youth Explosion Program Manager. Palm Health Foundation sponsors the event in support of the arts’ effects on the brain to promote health and well-being. Several organizations have contributed to the success of the event, including the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Urban Farmers, Inc., and Federation of Families of Florida, Inc.

The event is planned for  Saturday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Boys and Girls Club, 341 S.W. 12th Street, Belle Glade.

Organizers and sponsors see the competition as an important opportunity for youth to display their gifts and talents to positively impact their development. The Youth Explosion also exposes youth to the arts industry, high-profile networks, and provides hands-on experience in showcasing their marketing skills within the arts industry through the Rise & Thrive Power Networking Experience.