Concord youth organization celebrates four-year anniversary of empowering city children

The Empower Dance Performance Team, including Amissa Patience, Carmel Yemo, Casey Dusen, Doreen Uwase and Malak Koko react to the applause as they kick off the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in  Concord on Monday.

The Empower Dance Performance Team, including Amissa Patience, Carmel Yemo, Casey Dusen, Doreen Uwase and Malak Koko react to the applause as they kick off the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord on Monday. GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

The Empower Dance Performance Team perform at the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in downtown Concord on Monday, April 28, 2025.

The Empower Dance Performance Team perform at the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in downtown Concord on Monday, April 28, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Graciella Heradi dances at the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in downtown Concord on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Graciella Heradi dances at the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in downtown Concord on Monday, April 28, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Project S.T.O.R.Y founder and director Charm Emiko talks with eager talent show participant Junior Venusete, 11, at the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in downtown Concord on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Project S.T.O.R.Y founder and director Charm Emiko talks with eager talent show participant Junior Venusete, 11, at the Project S.T.O.R.Y fourth birthday celebration at the Bank of NH Stage in downtown Concord on Monday, April 28, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLINand GEOFF FORESTER

Monitor staff

Published: 04-29-2025 3:44 PM

Modified: 04-29-2025 3:48 PM


A year ago, Junior Venuste stood on the BNH stage playing his saxophone alone.

This year, now a middle schooler, he recruited two friends to join a musical trio and play a rendition he arranged of One Republic’s “Counting Stars.”

One friend is another saxophonist, the other is a flutist. Together, they played to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Project STORY in Concord, and fellow members celebrated with poetry, song, dance and even magic.

It was equal parts talent show, youth summit and birthday bash.

The organization, whose name stands for Supporting Talents Of Rising Youth, offers free activities, leadership training and education to kids in Concord. It began in 2021 with just a handful of participants. Now, it has more than 120 members.

Its growth and popularity are no surprise to founder Charm Emiko.

“I knew that the community needed something like this,” she said. “The fact that it’s grown so much in such little time really speaks to that.”

Often operating out of Keach Park on the Heights or from its new home base at the Capital Center for the Arts, the group is composed of youth from ages six to 21, including many whose families initially came to Concord as immigrants or refugees.

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“I think that these kids look at Project STORY as a supported space and a safe space for them and a place where they can be themselves and be encouraged to be themselves,” Emiko said. “We celebrate their uniqueness and what they bring to our community.”

That celebration, and the confidence it has cultivated, was on full display at the Bank of NH stage Monday night, as more than two dozen of the group’s members performed their artistic and athletic talents — from gymnastics to public speaking — in a talent show.