About This Project

This exhibit is a result of youth work. This work was supported by the Texas School Safety Center and facilitated by the research team from the Texas State University School of Social Work.  Say What! Teen Ambassadors and Consultants shared their stories and insights through photos aka the Photovoice process. Photovoice is a participatory and community-focused research and social change method that puts cameras in the hands of individuals in order to facilitate community change. This project focuses on the experiences, challenges, and insights of 14 Say What! Teen Ambassadors and Consultants. Since May of 2023, the Ambassadors and Consultants took over 150 photos to tell their stories of resilience, friendships, frustration, and thirst for change in tobacco-related policies in their home state of Texas. These stories are intimate accounts of their life experiences and the foundation for their proposals and recommendations. We invite you to explore this exhibit, read their stories, discuss their recommendations, and think about what you can do today to impact youth health, educate others, and empower them to advocate for tobacco-free Texas.