Journey Allen, an artist and educator with Arts New Orleans, transforms the lives of incarcerated youth through the Young Artist Movement (YAM) program. By leading mural projects in juvenile detention centers, she helps youth express complex emotions and create vibrant, hopeful artwork—like "From Graveyards to Gardens"—that reimagines their futures. 

Key highlights of her work and journey include:

• Healing Through Art: Allen empowers detained youth to process trauma and cultivate hope by creating murals that reflect their identities, such as the Sacred Ones project.

• Transformative Projects: She led the creation of "My Beautiful Dream for New Orleans" and "From Graveyards to Gardens" with youth at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center (JJIC).

• Recognition & Impact: In 2026, she was honored as the LCCR’s Diamonique Whaley Champion of Justice Awardee for her work engaging system-involved youth through arts education.

• Overcoming Personal Adversity: Previously told she was "unteachable" by a college professor, Allen now uses her own journey to mentor young people, helping them find their voice through creativity, as seen in her work with Spectrum Arts NOLA. 

  Louisiana Center for Children's Rights

Allen continues to lead, fostering a, "rooted in creativity, rising through community, and reimaging the future" approach for youth in the justice system.