Honoring
our legacy.
Reimagining
our future.
Amplifying
our impact.
Our 2025 Annual Report
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Each year, we are reminded of the extraordinary impact that words have on our students, educators, and community. This year, we became WordPowered—not just in name, but in practice. This new name reflects both our roots and our growing vision: to help young people and educators discover the agency that comes from language, literacy, and belonging.
It has been a year of milestones. Teens in Print (TiP) began with a simple but radical belief: marginalized youth voices matter. This year, as we celebrated TiP’s 20th anniversary, we reconnected with alumni, and among them are now Harvard Crimson reporters, community organizers, and educators themselves. Their stories remind us why this work matters. One alumna told us, “TiP wasn’t just about writing. It was about discovering that my voice matters.”
Our new name, WordPowered, reflects who we are becoming. We’ve stretched beyond writing alone and beyond the city whose name has long been part of our own. This transition required more than a logo change—it demanded we build infrastructure worthy of our evolution. WordPowered reflects our roots in literacy and our growing vision.
From coaching educators across Boston and the Gateway Cities, to having students published in the Bay State Banner during Black History Month, to supporting our peer organizations, our impact resonated deeply in classrooms and communities alike. We know our model works, and as we look toward our future, we will continue to build the capacity to serve everyone who’s ready to discover the power of their voice.
Over the past year, WordPowered has reached...
128
students through after-school & summer programming
175
educators through professional development & coaching in schools, community settings, and other partnerships
100%
of 29 of our senior TiPsters graduating high school. 27 of the 29 got into college, 1 opted for a gap year, and 1 had a job lined up. Reporters who were enrolled for at least two years had a 100% college acceptance rate.
Teens in Print is a writing program and publication that amplifies the marginalized voices of Boston youth. Through our comprehensive programming, we provide students with the tools to effectively share their experiences and perspectives, creating platforms for decision-makers to hear and act on their ideas.
Teens in Print continues to empower Boston youth through inclusive journalism and writing programs. This year marked two decades of amplifying marginalized voices, serving 128 TiPsters from over 20 schools across Boston Public Schools and beyond, while producing more than 130 articles that capture the authentic experiences of young Bostonians.
Key Achievements
128
TiPsters served, representing more than 20 schools (BPS and non-BPS)
130+
articles written by student journalists
2
Questbridge Fellows (our third consecutive year) include Shaniece Clarke of Bowdoin College and Brian Huang of University of Pennsylvania
100%
of 29 of our senior TiPsters graduated high school. 27 of the 29 got into college, 1 opted for a gap year, and 1 had a job lined up. Reporters who were enrolled for at least two years had a 100% college acceptance rate.
Survey Results
92%
of TiPsters agree that, “Being part of Teens in Print has helped build my confidence.”
93%
of TiPsters agree that, “My writing is improving as a result of this program.”
94%
of TiPsters agree that, “I have learned skills that help me in school” and “I feel more prepared for future jobs because of Teens in Print.”
96%
of TiPsters reported, “Writing stories for TiP makes me feel like I am positively contributing to my community.”
98%
of TiPsters shared, “I can use feedback (criticism and praise) to improve my writing.”
100%
of TiPsters shared, “I am more open to getting feedback on my writing.”
New & Expanded Partnerships
Bay State Banner: Students celebrated Black History Month with a project featuring 11 articles by 10 reporters published by the Bay State Banner.
Bottom Line: Eligible TiP students were automatically enrolled in Bottom Line’s services to promote college access among first-generation college students.
St. Stephen’s Youth Program: Our newsroom reporters, Nuri and Pietro coached SSYP teens with their podcast and writing via peer-to-peer mentorship.
Steppingstone Foundation: TiP staff member, Elvis Alvarado, led a 6-part workshop series, building the capacity of a new youth worker at SSYP.
Zumix: Newsroom students appeared on Zumix Radio to share their articles, stories, and process as writers.
Cross-Publication Initiatives:
Our student work appeared in multiple publications, including:
- Commonwealth Kitchen
- Ujima
- Compass
- Channel Kindness – Born This Way Foundation
- Bay State Banner
Notable Coverage & Events:
Our student journalists provided comprehensive coverage of significant Boston events:
- Mayor’s and Superintendent Skipper’s BPS Student Town Hall
- MCAS event with Boston Debate League and 826 Boston
- Celtics New Year’s Game
- Broadway’s “SIX”
Nancy Murphy Giving Fund
Established in memory of Nancy Murphy, The Nancy Murphy Giving Fund is proud to sponsor the TiP Road to College Scholarship.
Nancy spent much of her career as an editor. She was an advocate for effective communication, winning several awards as a mentor, speaker, and writer in her leadership role at Toastmasters International. She also served as a speech coach for the local TEDx organization, helping contestants refine their presentations. The participants and fellow volunteers she worked with appreciated her warm and encouraging approach to coaching and critiquing others.
With her values and interests in alignment with that of WordPowered, Nancy would be excited and pleased by the knowledge that her sponsorship would benefit the hardworking students of this amazing organization.
This year, WordPowered’s Teens in Print (TiP) launched the TiP Road to College Scholarship in partnership with the Nancy Murphy Giving Fund in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Teens in Print. This scholarship is designed to support TiP seniors who have been accepted into two- or four-year colleges by providing financial assistance to help navigate educational expenses. This scholarship ensures that TiP seniors can transition into college with fewer financial barriers, reinforcing TiP’s commitment to empowering young journalists beyond their time in the program.
Five scholarships of $2,500 each were awarded to:
TiP@20: Celebrating Two Decades
As we commemorate Teens in Print’s 20th anniversary, we have launched several initiatives:
Alumni Engagement:
Alumni Steering Committee established:
- 4 alumni interviews completed, featuring classes from 2004-2008, 2010s, and both pre- and post-pandemic TiPsters
- First peer-to-peer alumni interview published featuring Elizabeth Choi (Harvard Class of 2026, History Major, Harvard Crimson reporter)
Legacy Documentation:
Conducting interviews with founding and influential figures:
- Leah Bailey Moon (former Globe Foundation director)
- Marie Franklin (former Globe reporter)
- Betty Southwick
- Sarah Poulter
- Kelly Knopf-Goldner
- Carla Gualdron
“We don’t have enough spaces that hold multiple identities with the kind of care and intention TiP does. It’s not just about writing—it’s about belonging, about discovering that your voice matters. Boston is lucky to have programs like this, and I think the young people who come through them are better prepared for everything.”
– Sarah Poulter, former Executive Director at WordPowered
Summer Journalism Institute (SJI)
Road to College:
During the sixth week of SJI, eligible students were connected to college access resources. Students engage in an in-depth conversation with a college admissions officer, during which TiPsters worked extensively on their college essays. Students also attended tours of local colleges, prepared a list of the colleges they will apply to, and began their college essays.
Youth Leadership Development:
In addition to serving high school students, TiP hires a cohort of college students to support in the areas of multimedia, mentorship, and lesson planning. Youth leaders participated in a two-week onboarding program to prepare them for the Summer Journalism Institute. This year, our Youth Leaders were:
- Haley Balderson, Social/PR Mentor (Emerson College)
- Jordyn Olivia Britton, Writing Mentor (Howard University)
- Rachel Charles, Magazine Mentor (Emerson College)
- Nahisha Jackson, Writing Mentor (Emerson College)
- Kely Maloney, Video Mentor (Suffolk University)
- Gavin Miller, Podcast Mentor (Emerson College)
- Grace Zhu, Writing Mentor (Emerson College)
The Future of TiP
Beyond individual student success, Teens in Print serves as a crucial platform for youth voice in Boston civic life. Our students’ articles address critical issues affecting their communities, from street lighting and safety concerns to cultural celebrations and social justice topics. Through professional partnerships and cross-publication opportunities, TiPster voices reach decision-makers and community leaders throughout Greater Boston.
As we look toward our third decade, Teens in Print remains committed to our founding mission of amplifying marginalized youth voices while adapting to meet the evolving needs of Boston’s diverse student population. With strong partnerships, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and most importantly, passionate student journalists, we’re positioned to continue empowering young people to tell their stories and shape their communities.
Knowing that in the next decade of TiP we face emerging technologies, shortened attention spans and new ways of engaging with media and the news. These challenges call for a collaborative effort with media professionals and new media creators who understand how to maintain the core of journalism whilst engaging young people to understand the media. At Teens in Print we believe that we prepare young people to create and engage with curiosity whilst maintaining the integrity of the journalistic code.
The authentic voices of our TiPsters continue to challenge perspectives, inform communities, and demonstrate the power of youth journalism in creating positive social change. As we build toward the future, we carry forward 20 years of impact while embracing new opportunities to expand our reach and deepen our influence.
WordPowered embeds coaches into schools or districts for 1-3 days per week through the duration of one or more school years. We offer instructional coaching, with coaches collaborating with teachers—both new and experienced—to implement student-centered and literacy-rich approaches that lead to more equitable student outcomes. We also offer coach-the-coach support and administrator coaching.
In addition to coaching, we provide professional development workshops tailored specifically for the particular context of a partner. Our PD supports educators across disciplines and content areas to understand and implement equitable, student-centered approaches.
Our Successes
175
educators reached through WordPowered’s Collaborative Coaching programs.
92%
of Coaching participants reported new ways of thinking and strategies because of their work with WordPowered.
89%
said they now have a better understanding of how to make their work more equitable.
94%
reported they received actionable strategies and helpful information that they plan to use in their curriculum and instruction.
Partnerships
Melvin H. King Academy
- Focus: Administrator support or observations/feedback systems and professional development facilitation
Lowell Public Schools:
- Focus: Equitable grading practices and policies; supporting school-wide policy change
Everett High School
- Focus: Professional development for ELA and ESL departments on reading strategies to support all learners
826 Boston
- Focus: Professional development for writing center staff on bridging reading and writing with multilingual learners and middle grades
The 2024-25 year positioned WordPowered’s Collaborative Coaching program for transformational growth while maintaining our core commitment to equity-focused, embedded coaching. Despite operational challenges, we demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation, reaching 142 educators while building systems for even greater impact. The educators who participate in Collaborative Coaching represent not just individual transformation, but the seeds of systemic change in classrooms, schools, and districts across Massachusetts. Through continued focus on equity, collaboration, and evidence-based practice, WordPowered’s Collaborative Coaching program is positioned to amplify this impact in the years ahead.
Pros&Conversation 2025
“Gaining and improving writing skills while in high school is critical. I reported from my school paper, ‘The Maroon Echo’ at Bayer High School in Long Island, New York. I saw then that when we reported fairly, accurately and critically, people paid attention.”Amy Goodman, Host of Democracy Now!
These powerful words capture exactly why we gather each year for Pros&Conversation. This year, we honored 20 years of Teens in Print and the many young writers whose voices have flourished through our program. Pros&Conversation is a celebration of growth, storytelling, courage, and community. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for every person who made this milestone possible.
“Thanks for inviting me to participate in the celebration. I’m grateful that my kids had the opportunity to be [at Pros&Conversation] and I was beyond impressed by how the young people you work with are discovering, gathering, and amplifying their voices.”
— Omo Moses, Author of The White Peril
“What a wonderful evening at WBUR CitySpace with WordPowered, Teens in Print, and especially your amazing teen writers! I was moved by the thoughtfulness and poise of your teen representatives.”
— Ilyon Woo, Author of Master Slave Husband Wife
“Teens in Print wasn’t just about writing. It was about the people. I found a family—a group of chaotic, passionate, talented people who inspired me every day. And let me tell you, nothing bonds you with people faster than frantically trying to meet a deadline while eating way too many snacks.”
— Shaniece Clarke, Teens in Print Class of 2025
“Everything I am—every branch, every flower, every piece of fruit that makes up the tree of my being and the crown of my canopy—is thanks not solely to myself, but the programs I have been a part of. Teens in Print helped me recognize my voice further and supplied me with the tools needed to strengthen it.”
— Bendu David, Teens in Print alumnus
“[WordPowered] always comes from a place of support and collaboration… they redirect the focus back to the work. In so many ways, those three words—What is your purpose?—are centering, thought-provoking, inspirational, and even transcendental.”
— Amanda Chaloupka, Teacher, Boston International Newcomers Academy
“We ask [TiP students] to be seekers of stories—to go where adults can’t, and bring back the truths that live there. To voice their joys, their concerns, and their call to action. To see the world—and be amazed.”
— Mohamed Barrie, Director, Teens in Print
Thank you to our Event Committee
Sylvia Baedorf Kassis, The MRCT Center
Lori Britton, Community Resource Consulting
Bing Broderick, JustBook-ish
Lauren Cosulich, Summit Trail Advisors
Suzanne McGlone, Boston Public Schools
Eva Mitchell, Coalition for Career Development Center
Dr. Patricia Kelly, KW Consultants
Ronna Tarlow, Dunbar Language School
Org-Wide Developments
Compensation Philosophy
WordPowered has a robust Compensation Philosophy that requires a review of salaries and benefits every two years. In 2024-2025, WordPowered updated its compensation philosophy to better support our mission and ensure equitable pay practices. A subcommittee of employees partnered with Positively Partners to conduct a comprehensive salary benchmarking study and invested staff time in analyzing the essential roles needed to advance our equity work. This process resulted in a new compensation structure with defined cohort bands organized by core functions, ensuring fair and transparent pay. These improvements position us to strategically expand our team and capacity to meet the growing demand for our services and retain our team of industry experts.
Needs Assessment & Report from Center for Artistry & Scholarship
As a nearly 25-year-old organization, WordPowered has long served the youth and educators of Greater Boston by providing equitable and transformative literacy education; however, we don’t rest on the laurels of our longevity as proof of our good work. Since adopting a new mission in 2022, WordPowered has been working to better understand and measure the impact of its work.
In the spring of 2025, we partnered with the Center for Artistry and Scholarship to assess our evaluation systems and enhance staff capacity for data-driven decision-making. Their report presents a formative evaluation and strategic roadmap, needs-assessment findings, updated program and organizational Theories of Action, and a metrics framework that positions us for equity-centered growth, coherence, and accountability. We will be applying these recommendations throughout 2025/2026, including (1) forming an Implementation Steering Team; (2) introducing integrated metrics across our multigenerational programs; and (3) developing a central, publicly available dashboard to host all data. In tracking voice, belonging, and agency, WordPowered is modeling how nonprofit organizations can embed reflection, meaning-making, and accountability into the heart of their programming.
Our Finances
Expenses
Revenue
Acknowledgements
WordPowered is grateful to its donors, partners, staff, and volunteers who have supported our work over the past year. Together, we have empowered hundreds of youth and educators, creating meaningful change in the communities we serve.
Thank you for your continued support.
For more information about our work or to support our mission, read more here.
Thank You To Our Supporting Foundations
-
- Anonymous foundation
- Argus*
- Paul & Edith Babson Foundation
- Beacon Press*
- Beacon Research*
- BlueHub Capital*
- Boston After School & Beyond (BASB)
- Boston Business Journal*
- Boston Children’s Hospital*
- Boston University*
- The Boston Globe*
- Bottom Line
- Brookline Savings Bank
- Bushrod H. Campbell and Adah F. Hall Charity Fund
- The Calderwood Foundation
- The Castle Group*
- Castle Square Tenants Organization 2020 Charitable Trust
- City of Boston – Black Male Advancement
- The Cummings Foundation
- DCU for Kids
- Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation*
- eCratchit, Inc.*
- Frugal Bookstore*
-
- Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation
- Health Resources in Action
- Hick’s Auto Body, Inc.*
- Liberty Mutual Foundation
- M&T Charitable Foundation
- Mass General Brigham*
- MathTalk*
- Munroe Murrow Wealth Management*
- National Grid Foundation
- Nellie Mae Education Foundation
- Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation
- Red Sox Foundation*
- Rockland Trust Bank*
- Schrafft Charitable Trust
- Simon & Schuster*
- Spark Foundation
- SRT Realty, LLC*
- Stull & Lee, Inc.*
- Philanthropy MA – Summer Fund
- The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) – Cradles to Career
- Titus Foundation, Inc.*
- TJX Foundation
- Wellington Management Foundation
- Young Authors Foundation
*Pros&Conversation sponsor
Thank You To Our Supporting Donors
-
- Anonymous
- David Adamczyk
- Rachel Adler
- Michael Ansara
- Angela Ards
- Caren Arnstein & Kelvin Cross*
- Amy Atwood
- Sivan Azoulay
- Sylvia Baedorf Kassis
- Beth Balliro
- Doug Banks
- Dara Bayer
- Charlene Beckett
- Ian Beckford
- Leigh Belanger
- Erik Berg
- Harvey Berliner
- John and Jane Bihldorff
- Maria Laura Blefari
- Nancy Blumberg
- David Bor
- David Bove
- John Bowden
- Ari Branz
- Barney Brawer
- Anna Bulkovshteyn
- Dan and Holly Burnes
- Beverly Byron
- Geralyn Bywater
- Antonio Caban
- Siri Carr
- James Carroll
- Christy Cashman
- Daniel Cohen
- Jared and Lauren Cosulich
- Bob Crabtree
- Stephen Crosby
- John Cupples
- Charan Devereaux
- Thomas Dingman
- Caitlin Dodge
- Joseph Douilette
- Beth Dunne
- Steven Eppler-Epstein
-
- Alissa Farber
- Steven Feinstein
- Daniela Field
- Lucia Field
- Carmen Fields
- David and Karen Firestone
- Matthew Fishman
- Megan Flynn
- Amy Fredericks
- Ethel Furst
- Emily Gaberman
- Dorothy Gonson
- Sandra Goodman
- Maricel Goris
- Mary Harvey
- Randy Haynes
- Susan and Sean Helms Daley
- Anna Henderson
- Bob Hesslein
- Jean Hey
- Albert Holland
- Sam and Briana Howe
- Karen James-Sykes
- Dolores Johnson
- Tracy Joseph
- Marjan Kamali
- Robin Kassis
- Dr. Patricia Kelly*
- Amika Kemmler-Ernst
- Hannah Kilson
- Peter Kilson
- Gerald Kimber White
- Kelly Knopf-Goldner
- Cynthia Layton
- Celeste and David Lee
- Bea Leopold
- Diane Leopold
- Jenny and Jay Leopold*
- Barbara Lipps
- Karen L. List
- Glynn Lloyd*
- Doris Lowy-Zigman
- Brinton Lykes
- Deborah Maniace
-
- Errol Martin
- Nicholas Martin & Lyndsey Moran*
- Martha Matlaw
- Catherine Matthews
- Peter McCaffery
- Frances McCarthy
- Wanda McClain
- Jo McConaghy
- Michael and Elisabeth McCord
- Michael McCormack
- Jodie McMenamin
- Sharon McNally
- Robert and Judith Melzer
- Ann Merrifield
- Cynthia Mohr
- Lynda Moran
- James Mortom
- Omowale Moses
- Frannie Moyer*
- Jeffrey Musman
- Emily Nagle Green
- Aketa Narang Kapur
- Linda Nathan
- Charlene Neu
- Jose Nieto
- Gaby and Gerrel Olivier
- Phillip Page
- Jeanne Pagnozzi
- Armando Perez
- Joseph Perkell
- Edith Platt
- Sarah Poulter
- Thomas Powderly
- Marcy Prager
- Bernard Pucker
- Labonno Ranga
- Susan and Chris Richmond
- Ned and Katie Rimer
- Peter and Lucy Robbins
- Magaly Ronan
- Karen Sanchez-Eppler
- Mark Schafer
- Sam Seidel
- Marc Seiden
-
- Anne Shackleford
- Emily Shamieh
- Dinah Shepherd
- Stacia Sheputa
- Fredi Shonkoff
- Cindy Shulak-Rome
- Lori Smith-Britton*
- Tom Snow
- Ramon Soto
- Betty Southwick*
- Sonja Spears
- Patricia Spence
- Deborah Spencer
- Elizabeth Steinhauser
- Matt Stover
- Anna Suranyi
- Frederick and Mary Sykes
- Ronna and Dan Tarlow*
- Sandro Tavares
- Ben and Kate Taylor
- David Taylor
- Eliza Taylor
- Guy Telemaque
- Robert Thomas
- Jim & Amy Tierney*
- Martha Tierney
- Marcia and Tyler Tingley
- Charlie Titus
- James Tulsky
- Mariah Villarreal
- R. Edward Waterman
- Alicia Wedderburn
- Ruth and Bill Weinstein*
- Richard Weissbourd
- Patty Wen
- Anne Wheelock
- Benaree Wiley
- Esther Williams
- Joan Wood
- Kalise Wornum
- Judy and Paul Zaff
- Christine Zinke
- Scott Zobak
- Claudius Zorokong
*Pros&Conversation sponsor
Thank you for your support!
