Events

In the fall of 2020, teens from Next Step’s STRIVE program discussed representation in superheroes and noticed a gap. While many superheroes had “weaknesses,” there were no heroes with chronic illnesses – and specifically, none living with sickle cell. From that zoom conversation, Kara Jackson was born – a hero who, like them, had friends she trusted didn’t know how to talk to about her diagnosis. A hero who, like them, had big dreams but didn’t want others to limit her because she could get sick. Kara might also – like them – push too hard, make mistakes – and need space to learn from each one and move forward.This project, like all Next Step programs, uses the arts to create a safe space for young people to engage in conversations with peers about what it means to grow into adulthood with a chronic illness. It aims to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and let other youth facing similar challenges know that they are not alone.

Register here!