Joe Young Launches ‘CAN DO IT’ – COBA Vocational Program for Creative Careers
Charter Oak Boxing Academy is proud to partner with Joe Young and Joe Young Studios and Productions to launch the CAN DO IT – COBA Vocational Program, an immersive creative workforce experience designed for high school students interested in media, animation, and storytelling.
Award winning cartoonist and educator Joe Young is nationally recognized for using art as a tool for empowerment, literacy, and community connection. He is a Guinness World Record holder for creating the World’s Longest Comic Strip, a project spanning more than 100 yards and engaging thousands of local youth across Greater Hartford. This historic community art initiative not only set a global record but also demonstrated the power of collaboration, creativity, and youth voice in public spaces.
The program kicks off on Tuesday, October 14, and will run every Tuesday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM through November 18. Sessions will take place at Joe Young’s Studios and Production site, located at 349 Main Street in East Hartford, with transportation provided by COBA.
Event Details
This hands on vocational program will serve 10 high school students, offering a unique opportunity to explore creative industries while learning directly from a nationally recognized artist and producer. All participants will receive a stipend, and the program may lead to paid summer employment in 2026 for select students.
Throughout the six week experience, students will dive into animation design, movie making, and podcast production. Joe Young will guide participants through real world creative processes while sharing his journey as a Black cartoonist, filmmaker, director, and producer. Students will gain insight into both the artistic and professional sides of creative careers.
Commitment to Youth
Central to Young’s work is the CAN DO spirit, a youth focused philosophy designed to build self esteem, encourage positive decision making, and reinforce the belief that young people can succeed regardless of circumstance. Through his CAN DO IT programs, students learn to write comic scripts, develop animated characters, and tell their own stories through visual storytelling. Young also serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Bridgeport and Goodwin University, where he continues to advocate for access to higher education, creative pathways, and opportunities that connect learning to real world impact.
Students will also be encouraged to engage with Joe Young’s creative work, including his animated series Kemet and Me, which airs on local Fox and CBS networks. Seeing a local creative succeed at a national level reinforces the program’s core message that with discipline, creativity, and mentorship, students can build meaningful futures.
The CAN DO IT – COBA Vocational Program reflects COBA’s commitment to holistic youth development by expanding opportunities beyond athletics and into creative and vocational career paths.
