Impacting our community by transforming young lives into high-character leaders through the platform of the arts.

Spring Camp

The Empowerment Camp at Unity Performing Arts Foundation is designed to provide an intensive youth development experience that strengthens character, builds confidence, and enhances artistic and leadership skills. The camp focuses on helping students grow personally and creatively while reinforcing discipline, teamwork, and self-expression. It serves as a concentrated environment where students are encouraged to discover their voice, develop leadership qualities, and improve their performance within a structured, positive culture. 

The camp offers students an opportunity to connect with new participants and build stronger relationships with one another across many different backgrounds. This interaction fosters teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect while creating a sense of unity among students. Throughout the weekend, students also participate in workshops conducted by professionals from the broader community. These guest presenters dedicate time to teaching, training, and preparing students, while exposing them to career paths, life skills, and personal development opportunities that extend beyond the arts. 

A highlight of the camp is a student-produced talent show organized and led by the students themselves. This experience encourages leadership, creativity, and teamwork, while providing performance opportunities in a supportive environment. Students are responsible for developing ideas, coordinating performances, and working collaboratively to produce the showcase, allowing them to apply both artistic and leadership skills learned during the camp. 

The camp concludes with a closing chapel conducted by a local minister from the community. This time is focused on inspiration, reflection, and encouragement, reinforcing the values and personal growth gained during the camp experience. The chapel serves as a meaningful finale, bringing together the lessons of character, leadership, and unity developed throughout the weekend. 

The Empowerment Camp is structured as an intensive weekend experience held during the spring, taking place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This format creates an immersive environment where students can fully engage in artistic training, leadership development, relationship-building, and personal growth within a focused, impactful timeframe.

Joe Jordan

Joe Jordan

President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Indiana

Joe Jordan is a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He currently serves as the President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Indiana. Joe has more than 38 years of executive-level experience in organizational management, working with community organizations whose primary focus is youth and family development.

Andrea Burton

Captain Andrea Burton

Fire & Life Safety Educator, Fort Wayne Fire Department

Andrea Burton has been a member of the Fort Wayne Fire Department for 24 years. She is a certified firefighter, inspector, emergency medical technician, instructor, and public safety educator. As a captain, she promotes fire safety education at the Survive Alive House at the Safety Village and travels the city delivering fire safety messages of prevention, planning, practicing emergency plans, career exploration, fire extinguisher use, and burn and fall prevention through programming for children through older adults and while in attendance at community outreach engagements.

Cindy White

Cindy White

Mindful Movement, UNITY

Cindy White is a dynamic leader, educator, and wellness advocate with a lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities. With a professional background that spans critical care nursing, case management, and executive human resources leadership, Cindy brings a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and people-centered leadership to everything she does.

Briana Alvarez

Briana Alvarez

UNITY Alumni

Briana Alvarez is honored to return as a guest speaker for a program that has played a meaningful role in her life. She first joined the organization at the age of 9, and now, at 30, she is grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community that helped shape who she is today.

Veronica Townes

Veronica Townes

Salon Owner & Beauty Educator, Optimistic’s Enterprise Full Service Salon

I am an experienced Salon Owner with a demonstrated history of educating, coaching, and mentoring in the beauty and barber industry. I am a Beauty Incubator-Skilled in position placement for start-up beauty professionals.

Albert T. Brownlee, JD, MBA

Albert T. Brownlee, JD, MBA

Senior Pastor, Come As You Are Community Church

Pastor Albert T. Brownlee is a dynamic servant leader, communicator, and creative visionary committed to faith, justice, and community impact. As a pastor, teacher, nonprofit executive, and arts advocate, he blends spiritual insight with practical leadership to inspire transformation both inside and beyond the church.

Marshall A. White

Marshall A. White

Founder & CEO, Unity Performing Arts Foundation

Marshall A. White is the distinguished Founder and CEO of Unity Performing Arts Foundation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he also serves as the Director and Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Youth Choir. Since its inception in July 2000, UNITY has been committed to cultivating character, artistry, and leadership in young people through various performing arts disciplines, including choral music, dance, drama, and more.