Since 2001, Youthlight students have created a revealing and powerful portfolio of inner city life and community in Baltimore. From graffiti marked and drug strewn corners, to smiling neighbors and family dinners the participants of Youthlight have utilized photography to reflect their voice back to their community producing work that is real, disturbing, and poignant. The images they create are documents of the complexities of their neighborhoods and families, and the longing to create and be something better. With the help of Youthlight, disadvantaged children in Baltimore champion their own ideas, tackle everyday problems by placing a critical eye on their surroundings, and ultimately recognize their own power and dignity, the true seeds of peace.
Youthlight was founded by Marshall Clarke, a local freelance photographer who wanted to share his love of images and making photographs with city children. With the help of an Open Society Institute Fellowship grant, Marshall began the Youthlight photography and media literacy project in November 2001.