“Through Voice We Live”. Within those four words, the Youth Empowerment Broadcasting Organization, also known as YEBO, was founded in 2016 by Cory Montalvo with a powerful purpose to amplify the voices of a new generation of BIPOC storytellers, rooted in the strength, resilience, and the beauty of our communities.
This past fall, Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) proudly joined YEBO for a powerful collaboration that provided storytelling opportunities to five DSF Alumni to develop and share stories under the season’s theme: Roads – Stories about Detours and Destinations, with a guided coaching session from YEBO. The stories ranged from getting lost while traveling to embracing life’s unexpected turns, and each story offered a glimpse into the personal journeys of DSF Alumni. These narratives were performed live at Denver’s iconic creative hub, bookstore, and print shop, The Shop at Matter. They were later released digitally to the wider community through YEBO’s Podcast.
DSF Alum Dirza Pedroza sharing her story on stage
But the partnership didn’t stop there. Cristina Chacon, YEBO’s Director of Programs & Partnerships and one of DSF’s very first DSF Scholars, brought the partnership full circle, bringing YEBO back to her roots, stepping into the DSF Future Center at Cristina’s alma mater, Abraham Lincoln High School. This Spring, Cristina, the YEBO team, and DSF returned to her high school to help create a first-of-its-kind bilingual storytelling experience, with current high school students that attend the DSF Future Center at Lincoln took the stage to share their stories in Spanish.
From left DSF College Advisor Joselyn Loya, four of her students and storytellers, Cory Montalvo and Cristina Chacon from YEBO
The result was an unforgettable evening rooted in mixed identities, authentic emotions, and bold courage. Under the theme Mounstros (Monsters) – Stories about Fear and Resilience, current students from Abraham Lincoln High School, including DSF College Advisor Joselyn Loya, shared their impactful stories that made the audience laugh, cry, and reflect. These stories are now featured in YEBO’s Mixtape Vol. 5, available on various podcast platforms.
At DSF, we believe in the power of partnerships that support our mission of helping students reach their full potential and collaborating with YEBO allowed students and DSF Alumni to not only share their stories but to grow through their experiences, building confidence, communication skills, and a stronger sense of identity. Through YEBO’s thoughtful coaching and live performance opportunities, storytellers learned to trust their voices and lead with purpose.
DSF Alumni and Storytellers and other community members at the live event listening to other stories
Many of the storytellers experienced this kind of vulnerability for the first time. Personal stories are rarely shared openly and coached through, but as Denver Public Schools (DPS) students and DSF Alumni move into college, careers, and beyond, these experiences strengthen confidence, leadership, and connection in the next generation of leaders.
The partnership between YEBO and DSF continues to reflect the power of community, storytelling, and DSF Alumni leadership, including Cristina’s, whose full-circle journey shows what is possible when passion meets purpose and opportunity.
May these voices continue to resonate for years to come. Take a moment and press play. Experience the stories shared through YEBO.
