What Trinity City Arts Means to Me

Our youth staff members reflect on how TCArts has shaped their artivism.

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As we ramp up to the 2025 Artivist Awards next week (get your tickets here!) we are reflecting on all of the incredible ways that youth artivists fuel the work, joy and passion of Trinity City Arts.

Trinity City Arts is a small non-profit organization that builds our community in four ways: 

1. We publish Trinity City Comics, an original afrofuturist comic book about the future of New Orleans that inspires youth to become artist-activists.

2. We partner with schools and organizations on young artivist clubs to support youth ages 12-24 in creating public art in all forms that speaks their truths to power;

3. We prepare youth to become professional artists, educators, and activists through our INTERNSHIP program; and

4. We support youth-led artivist projects, such as Water Wonderful World, a coloring book about water in New Orleans.  

To get at the heart of why we do what we do, we asked some of the Trinity City Arts youth staff members to tell us what Trinity City means to them.

Je'Miyah Suggs at a TCArts event.

Zion Mercadel, London Salvant, and Keith Singleton working on illustrations for Trinity City Comics Issue #2.

Je’Miyah Suggs (Intern, Writer):  “I have played so many roles at Trinity City:  peer educator, public speaker, writer, team member, strategic planner, and emcee.  It has contributed to shaping not only the student and youth-leader I am today, but the entirety of who I am as a human being.”

London Salvant (Illustrator):  “Trinity City means the highest chance for young artists to not only be a part of a published production, but to learn while you are doing it. Being a part of Trinity City grants nothing but chances as teachings, knowledge, opportunities, connections, and friendships.”

Zion Mercadel (Illustrator):  “Trinity City is made up of people who are just like you:  people with big dreams, strong motivation, and the same passion to succeed. It’s a place of love, warmth, and support. Every step of the way, there is always someone in your corner. And even if you choose to work on your own, you can do so knowing that others are standing by, cheering you on and ready to step in when you need them.”

hrilina♡ holding up a print copy of Water Wonderful World.

Keith Singleton (Illustrator):  “Trinity City is a way to push yourself as a creative person.  They teach you to keep going, no matter what obstacles you encounter along the way, and produce your own success beyond what you can imagine. We are making our voices heard by all the generations so that we can have a greater impact on our community.”

hrilina ♡ (Writer, Educator, Producer):  “What does Trinity City mean to me? The future. Trinity City is a community that supports young New Orleanian artists and our vision for our future.  I've gone from a reader with strong opinions, to an intrigued journalist, to a published author – one thing has stayed the same: Trinity City has supported me.”

Trinity City Arts is a compelling case study, an instructional guide, and an amplifier for anyone who believes in the power of young people.