Humans of Ballou
Humans of Ballou
Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.
The students of Ballou High School know a different Washington, DC than do the more than 18 million tourists who visit our nation’s capital each year. They live in Southeast DC, across the Anacostia River, and the tour buses don’t go through their neighborhoods. Some travel guides explicitly call the communities East of the River “areas to avoid.” Even some residents of the District don’t often visit Wards 7 and 8, as the river acts as not only a literal boundary, but a metaphorical one. The bridge that should connect these two Washingtons is all too rarely crossed.
The statistics about poverty or crime or violence in this community tell such a limited story, and it’s not the only story to tell. Those statistics should not build a wall that hides the humanity on the other side. Young people grow up in these neighborhoods, often too quickly, facing adult challenges too young. But they also grow up as all young people do: with joy. With talent. With pride. With love for their families, both biological and chosen. With style and humor and ambition and charm. For them, Southeast DC, and their own Ballou High School, is more than the headlines that others write -- it is home. And for the educators who work with these young people every day, they know that the stories we tell--and hear--about ourselves make all the difference.
ISBN: 978-1945434006
Age: 12+
Lexile: 830L
Page Count: 88
Published: 2016
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Meet the Authors
As young students of color at Frank W. Ballou High School in Southeast D.C., Ballou authors wanted to combat dangerous single stories told by outsiders about their community and ensure their own voices were heard. Through the Ballou Story Project, SMP teaching artists coach Ballou juniors and seniors to write their memoirs, which are then published by Shout Mouse and/or used by students in their college applications. Their voices highlight the dedication, perseverance, heart, and joy of their community, and their books are used as platforms for change. Through Author Talks, book donations, and book sales, the voices of Ballou Story Project authors have reached students and educators across the region and country. Proceeds from Ballou titles support new authors and fund scholarships for Ballou graduates.
Kaiya was en eleventh grade at Ballou Senior High School when she wrote Humans of Ballou.
Carmela was in eleventh grade at Ballou Senior High School when she wrote Humans of Ballou.
Tyandra has six sisters and four brothers and lives with her mom and dad. She was the Junior Class President when she wrote Our Lives Matter. She is a part of the Ballou Majestic Marching Knights Band as a Royal Dame. Her dream college would be going to Yale University for her J.D. degree to become an International Criminal Lawyer. She enjoys dancing, singing, reading, and joining various groups at her school.
Christopher was born in Washington, DC. He is in the band and plays the tuba, also called the Sousaphone. He is also a Reach tutor. He goes to Simon Elementary School and tutors 2nd and 3rd graders. He is an AVID student and a member of the Ballou Story Project.
Randy was born and raised in DC, and loves all genres of music. He's the leading bass drummer in band at school, and that feels both stressful and wonderful. The other thing he is passionate about is writing poetry. He found his passion for writing in the 8th grade. Sometimes he enjoys playing sports. Otherwise, he likes to be out of the house and going places.
Recognition & Impact
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✅ A diverse collection of youth-authored memoirs, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, featuring underrepresented voices.
✅ Creative writing prompts and behind-the-scenes insights to inspire students and emerging writers to tell their own stories.
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🎁 Readers who believe in the power of storytelling to spark dialogue and transform communities.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-82-6
Age: 12+
Page Count: 304
Stock your classroom with 20 copies of this powerhouse anthology and teaching tool. Or give it as a gift to a teacher or class! Even better — pair it with the Bright Before Us Inspiration Set!
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Age: 12+
Page Count: 304
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Age: 12+
Page Count: 118
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Deshon was a senior at Ballou Senior High School when he wrote Humans of Ballou.