The partnership between Coaching Detroit Forward and Young Creators Arts and Enrichment started with friendship.

DStephanie Steinberg and Sacred Overstreet-Amos met in early 2017 at the Build Institute. Both entrepreneurs had dreams of building businesses focused on the arts. A journalist by trade, Stephanie’s idea was to start The Detroit Writing Room, a place where writers and creatives could connect and learn through events and workshops taught by professional coaches. Sacred, owner of Moon Reflections Photography, was in her third year of running Young Creators Arts and Enrichment’s summer Photography Camp. As a photographer and writer, the two women naturally gravitated toward each other’s creative work and became quick friends.

Fast forward to today. The Detroit Writing Room celebrated its 5th birthday in 2024. Sacred has been a photography coach since day one. Soon after launching, Stephanie wanted Detroit students to be able to receive mentorship from the 30-plus coaches and attend creative workshops, but not have to pay for the experiences. The DWR’s the nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward is what resulted. Through CDF, we can secure grants and funding so students can attend free camps and workshops focused on writing and the arts.

In 2019, Sacred was in need of space to hold her camp. She had led Young Creators Arts and Enrichment’s photography camps for students at Wayne State University, local schools, parks and other locations. Stephanie and Sacred came up with the great idea of partnering to add the YCAE camp to Coaching Detroit Forward programs. Five years later, we have not looked back. 

Sacred creates a welcoming environment where every child feels comfortable being themselves. She’s a natural teacher who connects with youth. She sees herself in these students, as she was once in their shoes — a young creative person with dreams of using her talent to create meaningful work. 

While our students learn photography techniques and camera basics from Sacred and other professional photographers, they also learn about themselves and get a unique platform to show their work to the community. Every year we print their photos in our award-winning publication Perspectives Magazine and showcase their work in photography exhibits. 

Through our programs and professional guidance, our students often use the skills they gain to launch their own photography businesses, or capture their peers and school events. Many continue to practice photography in college, where they apply their skills in coursework, extra curricular activities, school newspapers and internships. 

Together, Coaching Detroit Forward and Young Creators Arts and Enrichment offer students opportunities to learn photography, gain mentors in the field and explore their artistic passions.