TTYL (Talk To You Later)

TTYL is a youth oriented panel discussion talk show, hosted by Shalekiah Barton, Paige Desorbo, Brielle Smith and Vanessa Contreas who are also college students. Joining the all female cast is our TTYL correspondent and blog expert, Zahir Roberts.

The goal of the show is to convey the discounted adolescent voice, particularly that of multicultural females. It allows 16-24 year old youth a platform to express their perspectives via a panel of hosts that look just like them.  The show calls for open dialogue on serious issues ripped from the headlines including but not limited to national and local politics, education, violence in the community, sex, pop-culture and dating while making them relatable to its’ audience.

The boutique production company, Leopard Stripes Productions, produces TTYL. The founders, Ayana Stafford and Amanee Rice, two Newark Public School Teachers, are the show’s creator. Rice and Stafford believe that TTYL will oblige politicians to include teenage and young adult initiatives in its decision-making and law creation/passing process. And for the youth who otherwise have no concernment in such, it will captivate their interest to explore beyond the “normal” entertainment rhetoric. 

Leopard Stripes Productions is raising $20,000.00 to film a full season of the show at Symphony Hall in Newark, NJ, with a live studio audience and also offer internships to Newark students via the production of the show.

The goal is to create TTYL for the youth and by the youth. Young adults are sometimes a forgotten demographic and their perspectives are overlooked in this vast world. The creators of TTYL believe it is important to provide this platform to inspire them to become more involved and offer them a chance to spark a movement in their own generation. The internships will allow the inner-city youth a chance to obtain real hands on production experience, keep them off the streets and be apart of something cool. Leopard Stripes Productions believes in youth empowerment and TTYL will be the platform for change.