The Pick the City UP Tour benefits each community the tour visits in two ways. The first is that is reminds the older generation that there are still (young) people making a difference; it also shows the younger community that they there are alternatives to destructive lifestyles.
Emeara (Age 20)
The community gets to have a positive outlet of entertainment. They also get to see the young adults and teens represent the community in a positive way.
Chris (18)
The community benefits from the tour by us really just being a face for stopping gun violence. Giving our message in a positive way in the areas that need it is a major benefit to us and the community.
Cali (Age 18)
To me I think it is because for 3 or 4 hours in a day, people get a break from what’s going around in their neighborhoods. They get to hear what we have to say and just a break from the mainstream music that’s all talking ‘bout just selling drugs, guns, girls then they come hear our stuff to hear about how to help and how to better our community, how to provide more stuff, not even physical just lyrical and I think that’s a good benefit.
Pick the City UP 2019 Tour presents Saint Louis Story Stitchers unique brand of urban storytelling, featuring live original STL hip hop, spoken word and story magic on public health issues St. Louis cares about including gun violence. Pay tribute, join the fun, and make a difference. Bringing positive change to the Lou.
Pick the City UP 2019 Tour is presented with support from Missouri Foundation for Health, LUSH Corporation’s The Charity Pot, Regional Arts Commission, Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Steward Family Foundation, Cardinals Care, and Incarnate Word Foundation.
All events are free and family-friendly.
WHY do Story Stitcher focus on gun violence?
Because it affects our youth, our artists and our communities. Stitchers youth identify this as the #1 issue that needs to be addressed.
The project addresses the public health crisis of gun violence. In St. Louis in the past 5 years, 15,000 victims were murdered, shot or robbed at gunpoint. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney reports there were 2,092 shootings in St. Louis in 2015 and half involved youth age 25 or under.
In 2020, St. Louis had the worst homicide rate in 50 years.
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