EmpoweredAI
Youth storytelling

Young Empowered Authors (YEA!)

YEA! inspires children to explore their imagination, capturing their stories through advanced tools like AI and culminating in publishing their own books on Amazon.

Sign up for the next cohortExplore our mission

What students experience

  • Creative Confidence

    Students foster a love for writing and discover the joy of storytelling through guided mentorship.

  • Publishing on Amazon

    Each student becomes a published author with physical copies of their work available worldwide.

  • Red Carpet Finale

    We celebrate with a Publishers Party attended by state representatives, sponsors, and community leaders.

  • Hardware Access

    Participants receive their own laptop to continue their creative journey long after the program ends.

Turning interest into action

Young Empowered Authors (YEA!) is dedicated to empowering students by teaching fluency in using advanced tools like AI to express their narratives. We provide a space where children can explore their imagination and capture their stories with professional tools.

Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of writing and storytelling while building the technical competencies that define the modern creative landscape.

  • Inspire Creativity

    Master narrative structure, voice, and worldbuilding while experimenting with cutting-edge tools.

  • Demystify Technology

    Educate young minds about AI’s role in modern creativity, prompting, and publishing.

  • Build Confidence

    Improve literacy skills and competencies through the journey of becoming a published author.

Program essentials

  • Ideal for grades K-12 and beyond
  • Weekly studios + open lab time
  • Focus on story ideation & illustration
  • Scholarships for every participant
  • Final deliverable: physical book on Amazon

Meet Storybook Studio

We built our own safe, creative playground where students bring their ideas to life.

  • Co-writing partner

    Stuck on a sentence? The AI offers gentle prompts to keep the creativity flowing.

  • Instant illustrator

    Students describe scenes and watch an AI artist generate custom visuals in seconds.

  • Digital bookshelf

    Save drafts, manage finished books, and share stories with family and friends.

Launch Storybook Studio

Powered by custom tech

To ensure a safe and focused environment, we developed Storybook Studio. This dedicated web app gives students access to powerful generative AI models wrapped in a child-friendly interface.

It’s not just about writing; it’s about learning to collaborate with intelligence. Students learn to prompt, refine, and curate—skills that will define the future of work and art.

“It’s like having a magic wand for my imagination. I write the words, and the studio helps me see them.”

Student Gallery

A showcase of book covers and illustrations created by our young authors.

Ash and the Light Orb
KJ's Powers
Black Girl Magic
Leo and the Fading Glow
Smokey's Great Adventure
Ranyah's First Day
The Great Rescue
Two Nights Before Christmas

Program Highlights

Moments from our workshops and the Red Carpet Finale.

Mission (Accomplished!)

We create a brave, joyful space where students master creative confidence and ethical AI practices.

Inspire creativity

Students learn narrative structure, voice, and worldbuilding while experimenting with cutting-edge tools.

Demystify technology

Participants practice prompt engineering, evaluate AI outputs, and discuss ethics with mentors.

Build confidence

Public readings, author panels, and small-group coaching help every student find their voice.

Create community

Peer editors, alumni mentors, and local sponsors form a supportive network that continues beyond the program.

Impact snapshots

Every cohort reflects, measures progress, and celebrates growth.

120+
Young authors who have published original work since launch
92%
Report increased confidence in writing and presenting
35
Original titles now circulating through schools & libraries
100%
Receive full scholarships thanks to community sponsors

Program supporters

Young Empowered Authors is made possible by generous local partners.

  • TolHouse
  • Toledo Lucas County Public Library
  • Owens Community College
  • Toledo Museum of Art
  • Community storytellers & volunteers

Join the interest list

Tell us about your student or school and we’ll reach out with the next cohort details.

We’ll follow up within one week with next steps and scholarship information.

Bring YEA! to your classroom or library

Let’s co-design an immersive storytelling experience tailored to your learners.

Partner with EmpoweredAI