UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Sustainability Institute at Penn State (SI) is bringing musician and United Nations (UN) Youth Ambassador AY Young to headline a Soundscapes of Sustainability Series at Penn State the week of April 10, which will culminate in the first annual student-led Sustainability Summit on April 13.
Young is a producer, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur who powers his “Battery Tour” performances using renewable energy. He was recently named a UN Youth Leader for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. He is currently working on a Global Goals album, labeled Project17, in collaboration with many well-known artists and companies. Each of the 17 songs will represent a different SDG as well as a corporate sponsor committed to supporting the related goal.
“AY Young is an extraordinary artist using music’s universal appeal to inspire and unite people — especially young people. His focus on the SDGs through his music highlights how anyone can take their passion and make a difference in building the future we want,” said Lara Fowler, SI interim director and chief sustainability officer. “As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt by all of us, the themes in his music serve both as inspiration to continue building progress and as reminders that this work, however, we engage with it individually, is essential.”
Young first began writing poetry at the age of 14, in reaction to “the Troost divide” — or racial segregation in Kansas City. Throughout his career, he has garnered a grassroots following and has played with many famous artists such as Wiz Khalifa, SHAGGY, T-Pain, Flo-Rida, Aaron Carter, and more.
While touring the United States, he learned that over 1 billion people lack access to electricity. In response, Young began powering his concerts with renewable energy, raising awareness about sustainability, and fundraising to provide solar-powered boxes for villages without reliable access to electricity. The result of this effort is his “Battery Tour,” which has visited 17 countries and hosted over 900 performances to date.
During his visit to Penn State University Park, Young will be meeting with students and headlining four public events throughout the week of April 10 to kick-off Earth Day celebrations:
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Tuesday, April 11, 6 p.m. — Pop-up concert at 3Dots Downtown
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Wednesday, April 12, noon — Pop-up concert at the HUB-Robeson Center
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Wednesday, April 12, 5 p.m. — Community concert and ice cream social at The Arboretum at Penn State (RSVP here)
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Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. — Sustainability Summit at HUB Alumni Hall (RSVP here)
All events are free and open to the public. RSVPs for the summit and ice cream social are requested but not required.
The Soundscapes of Sustainability Series is a collaborative effort between SI, the Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE), the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), the University Park Student Fee Board and Penn State students, to energize the Penn State community and plug into the power of partnerships to achieve a more sustainable future.
Part of Young’s visit is supported by funds from the University Park Student Fee Board.
For more information, please visit the Sustainability Institute website.