SUPPORT OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS

Make a gift today to help us reach the $50,000 challenge!

Project 440 supporters John McFadden & Lisa Kabnick have challenged us to raise $50,000 and will match all gifts up to $50,000!

CELEBRATE OUR FOUNDER

On May 9, 2026, the Project 440 community, including our young leaders, staff, Board of Directors, partners, and supporters, gathered at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts for **Celebrate Our Founder**, honoring Joseph Conyers on the occasion of his Soloist debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Our young leaders took center stage to share reflections on their Project 440 experiences, and Gavin Hardy, a double bassist at the Curtis Institute of Music, performed.

In recognition of Joe's contributions to Philadelphia as an artist, educator, and youth advocate, and Project 440's award-winning programming for Philadelphia youth, Mayor Cherelle Parker proclaimed May 9, 2026, Project 440 Founder's Day!

Photo gallery: Celebrate Our Founder reception on May 9 and the Philadelphia Orchestra Open Rehearsal on May 7.

Joseph Conyers and Project 440 Board members Megan Speight, Rikki Renz, and Danielle Allen

P440 May 9_Kobie Smith with Brook _Kelly and Carole Gravagno.jpg

Joe with Margarett Barett and friends.jpg

Gavin Hardy_Janet_Joe and Hal Robinson.jpg

Val Gay, Philadelphia's Chief Cultural Officer

Joe Conyers with members of the Bass Section.jpeg

Project 440 students at the rehearsal.jpg

Project 440 students at May 7 Open Rehearsal.JPEG

Photo Credits: Torri Green Photography and Teresa Montano

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS OF CELEBRATE OUR FOUNDER

Thank you to The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly for generously providing in-kind support for Celebrate Our Founder.

SUPPORT CREATIVE CAREER-CONNECTED LEARNING

At **Project 440**, we meet young people where they are—welcoming all youth regardless of their interests. Our career-connected creative learning programs support students in building a toolkit of essential 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, project management, and problem-solving. Whether they’re into music, visual arts, or any other artistic pursuits, our students learn how to apply their creativity to make a positive impact in their communities.

Celebrate Our Founder: tickets, sponsorships, and contributions will support Project 440’s free youth programs, including our Doing Good and Instruments for Success afterschool programs and Summer Workshops.

SUPPORT OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS

Celebrate our founder honors Joseph Conyers & his impact as an artist, educator & youth Advocate

Project 440 provides free afterschool programming for Philadelphia youth

Joe founded Project 440 in 2007 in Savannah, Georgia, and brought the organization to Philadelphia in 2010 when he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Yumi Kendall, Assistant Principal Cello and Joseph Conyers, Principal Bass, The Philadelphia Orchestra

Yumi and Joe present a performance and workshop at Project 440’s Instruments for Success program.

Joseph Conyers was named a 2025 Good Soul by WHYY for his work with Project 440

The Good Souls project recognizes individuals who serve as role models for compassion, generosity, and service and are striving to make the world a better place.

Joseph Conyers speaks with Project 440 students at a Doing Good graduation

The Doing Good program teaches leadership and service, and fosters an entrepreneurial mindset.

Joseph Conyers conducts the All City Orchestra Summer Academy (ACOSA)

Project 440 is a lead artistic partner of ACOSA at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

Project 440 alumnus Marquise Lyndsey Bradley and Joseph Conyers

Marquise is currently the marketing and engagement director of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society said of Project 440, “Going through the process of event planning, how to assign roles, and how to delegate work provided me with a template that I can apply to any team.”

Project 440 students, staff, and Board members attend the 2024 Wawa Hero Award

Project 440 was recognized as a 2024 Wawa Hero Award finalist for providing programs that mentor and inspire Philadelphia youth.

Joseph Conyers with Oleksandr Kashlyuk and Maya Lyndsey.

Oleksandr and Maya are Project 440 alums who made their debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra in November 2024.

Joseph Conyers and executive director Rebecca Bolden accept the inaugural Next Award

Project 440 receives the Next Award from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance in recognition of its innovative programming.

Joseph Conyers speaks at the 2025 Cleveland Institute of Music Commencement

Joe received the 2025 Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music

Joseph Conyers has served as the Music Director of Philadelphia's All City Orchestra since 2015

The All City Orchestra features high school students, including many Project 440 participants, who attend schools from across Philadelphia.

Joseph Conyers is pictured with the first Doing Good cohort in 2019.

Project 440 launched the Doing Good service learning proram in 2018 after two years of research.

MAKE A GIFT IN HONOR OF JOSEPH CONYERS

All proceeds from Celebrate our Founder support Project 440’s youth education programming.