BCYF Grantee AZIZA PE&CE Empowers the Next Generation through Fashion, Art, and Advocacy at the Annual STRUT Showcase

AZIZA PE&CE’s Signature Event to Showcase Youth Creativity, Mental Health Awareness, and Leadership Development

BALTIMORE, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) is proud to support STRUT XII: I’m On A New Level, a groundbreaking event set to take place on Saturday, March 15, at the Baltimore Convention Center from 7-10 p.m. Organized by grantee AZIZA PE&CE, this highly anticipated annual showcase is more than just a fashion show—it is a movement that fosters self-expression, empowerment, and leadership among Baltimore’s young people through art and advocacy.

As a key funder, BCYF is committed to investing in trailblazing nonprofits like AZIZA PE&CE, dedicated to uplifting underserved youth through storytelling. The collective impact of BCYF grantees like AZIZA PE&CE demonstrates how youth development programs contribute to measurable improvements in the lives of Baltimore’s youth and the community at large.

STRUT XII serves as the capstone event of Illuminate, the organization’s flagship after-school program designed to provide mentorship, creative therapy, and leadership development for Black girls and LGBTQ+ youth. With an expected 2,000 attendees, the event will feature awe-inspiring runway presentations, dynamic performances, and personal storytelling from program participants who have spent months engaging in self-discovery, artistic growth, and civic engagement.

“BCYF is dedicated to ensuring that Baltimore’s youth have access to transformative opportunities that nurture their talents and voices,” says Alysia Lee, President and CEO of BCYF. “STRUT XII is a shining example of what happens when young people are given the resources, mentorship, and space to lead, create, and inspire.”

At its core, STRUT XII merges the worlds of fashion and advocacy, underscoring the vital connection between mental health, creative expression, and leadership development. The event highlights young creatives’ talents and challenges social norms, giving marginalized youth a decisive stage to share their stories and ignite meaningful change.

Key focus points for participants of this year’s STRUT XII include:

• Highlighting Impact: Celebrates the achievements of Illuminate participants, showcasing their artistic and personal growth.
• Bridging Arts & Mental Health: Merges fashion, performance, and creative therapy to promote healing and empowerment.
• Launching Pathways to Success: Connects youth with industry professionals, mentorship, and opportunities in fashion, entertainment, and beyond.
• Catalyzing Social Change: Challenges norms, uplifts marginalized voices, and fosters intergenerational community support.
• Fostering Civic Engagement: Empower youth to advocate for themselves and their communities through artistic expression and activism.

BCYF’s investment in STRUT XII aligns with its mission to support grassroots organizations that empower Baltimore’s young people. By funding initiatives that merge creativity, mental health awareness, and leadership development, BCYF continues to drive equity and opportunity for the city’s next generation.

STRUT XII is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about youth empowerment, social justice, and creative innovation. The evening will bring together a diverse audience of corporate decision-makers, investors, elected officials, media representatives, and community advocates who are committed to fostering a more equitable future.

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

AZIZA PE&CE invites brands, sponsors, and media partners to support STRUT XII and contribute to an initiative that directly impacts the lives of young people through education, mental health resources, and career development.

Tickets for STRUT XII: I’m On A New Level are available on the organization’s website. Sponsorship inquiries and media credential requests can be directed to saran@aziza-pece.org.

For more information about AZIZA PE&CE, visit www.aziza-pece.org or follow them on Instagram.

For more information about the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund visit bcyfund.org. For media inquiries, please contact Marilynn Elie at marilynn@thepralliance.com.

About the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund:

Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) builds partnerships that support the ecosystem focused on opportunities for Baltimore youth by providing support to leaders and organizations. The effort to create a dedicated fund to support programs for Baltimore’s young people was launched in 2015 by then-City Council President Bernard “Jack” C. Young — a response to the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, an event that sharply illuminated longstanding inequities in public funding in Black communities. Supported by Baltimore City residents’ tax dollars, since 2020 BCYF has awarded over $31M to Baltimore programs serving children and youth.

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SOURCE Baltimore Children & Youth Fund

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