We Are Passionate About Helping Youth Engage With The World Around Them
Our Programs Engage Youth Creatively, Socially, and Cognitively
14 Years of experience
and Counting
MeMA-Music empowers a new generation of leaders
through the power of music
Who We Are
For over a decade, MeMA-Music has delivered transformative, arts-integrated programs to youth across Chicago. We use powerful, message-driven music to spark engagement in history, civics, literacy, and personal growth. By connecting timeless songs to themes of human experience and expression, our approach encourages curiosity, reflection, and deeper understanding. Participants explore lyrics as a form of storytelling—discovering how music captures the spirit, struggles, and triumphs of its time while helping them find their own voice through creativity and learning.
▪ Mission
We educate youth in underserved communities through the power of music, helping them build literacy and academic skills, gain confidence, and better understand the world around them.
▪ Brighter Future
Our programs consistently earn the praise of students, teachers, principals, parents, and community leaders. Youth who rarely participate begin to open up, reflect deeply, and engage fully—whether in classrooms or community spaces. Many don’t want the program to end, because what they gain goes far beyond the setting: they discover their voice, their agency, and a clearer path toward a brighter future.
Our Story
MeMA-Music was founded on two principles: a deep conviction that young people have the potential and vision to change the world, and that music can serve as a vehicle for young people’s self-expression of their values and beliefs.
I left a 20+ year career in the music industry to start a nonprofit arts education organization because I saw something missing in many young people’s lives—the connection between music, learning, and self-expression. So many students were unaware of how songwriters, from the 1960s and 70s to today, have used their stories and truths to send powerful messages to the world. At the same time, as schools began cutting funding for the arts, I felt a calling to create programs that reintroduce music in a way that not only educates but also inspires. I wanted to help youth build confidence, find their voices, and see learning as something they could connect to their own lives and passions. Our programs use music as a bridge—linking creativity and literacy, historical awareness, and self-discovery. Youth explore how artists have used songs to reflect the times, share their experiences, and connect communities. In turn, they learn to craft and share their own messages through music, art, and multimedia—discovering that their voices, too, can make a difference.
Jeanne Warsaw, Founder and President
Meet Our Founder and President – Jeanne Warsaw
“Where Music Meets Meaning—From Executive to Educator”
Teaching the Power of Music—Backed by 20+ Years in the Industry and 14 in classrooms and community centers.
A Trailblazer in the music industry, Jeanne Warsaw, a Chicago native, has over 25 years of experience. She has championed renowned recording artists such as Janet Jackson, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Isaac Hayes, Lenny Kravitz, and many more. Her journey in the music industry began with the iconic Chicago retail chain Rose Records, where she served as a buyer. Her career trajectory soared as she assumed the role of Radio Promotion Assistant for Sony Records in New York. Since then, she has been unwavering in her dedication to the music business. Among her notable achievements, Jeanne has been Executive Promotion & Marketing Director for Sony Music, RCA, Elektra/Warner Bros., and Virgin Records. She also founded her own consulting company, JW Promotions. Jeanne’s career experience in the music business provides her with unique insight into the world of popular music and how music can be a voice for change.
After leaving the industry, Jeanne founded MeMA-Music, Inc., a nonprofit that inspires and empowers Chicago youth in underserved neighborhoods—using music with powerful messages to build literacy, spark civic understanding, deepen historical awareness, and help them see their own potential to shape society. She aims to teach them how to utilize the arts to spread positive messages of change and become advocates for themselves and their future. For the past 14 years, Jeanne’s nonprofit, MeMA-Music, Inc., has provided education, mentorship, and safe creative spaces in Chicago schools and community centers—helping young people find their voice, share their stories, and envision brighter futures through the power of music.
“I think it is so incredibly important for young people to have a safe space to discuss their feelings, good or bad. They need to be heard. They need encouragement and a hopeful path toward their future, with all that is going on in our world today.” And what better way to truly engage and connect with students than through music—especially socially conscious songs with powerful messages about people and society, which they can relate to and see themselves reflected in.” Jeanne Warsaw
Our Partners
Testimonials
Thanks again for having us at your last period class. I really enjoyed being an 8th grader in your program. I am positive that the 8th graders will be excited when they start their own projects. I can’t thank you nor stress enough how helpful this class has been in my first year in high school. While all the other freshman were having trouble understanding the new open discussions we were having in class and making connections to real life events, I was already a pro!!!
Abu, Student
The MeMA program helped me learn more about injustices that have happened and how they are still around today, and I got a better idea on how to try to solve these problems and how to become a proactive citizen.
Keshon, Student
A component that helped me a lot was your own weekly reflections really helped me put my opinions into words rather than thoughts. Listening to music was also useful because the music was inspiring and informed the people of what was happening at the time. The research was also a good component because it helped me understand more about the topics of today.
Nabeha, Student
The MeMA program and project helped me develop a better sense of our society because I learned more about the past and how it was affected by the music made by the people of the time. It also helped me by telling me that you need to see what else is happening in the world and why you need to analyze and learn how things can be solved.
Emily, Student
The mema program was honestly the first time I actually liked learning about history and events. Mema’s way of showing us what happened in the past through music and videos was fun and interesting.
Hakeem, Student
I learned how to express messages in different ways and how a song can represent a theme. Back then music was about peace and equality. The music today has completely changed.
Sophie, Student
Learning about the past through music and social interaction with peers enables students to connect with their history. This understanding helps them draw connections to contemporary society, encouraging them to think critically about their environment. Many students do not have the opportunity to explore beyond their local communities, and they are often not encouraged to engage with national and current events.
Kim Steffon, Assistant Professor,
Truman College
I loved hearing my students with diverse learning needs singing lyrics to songs that were popular decades before they were born, and understanding why those songs are relevant today.
Karen Jarosz, Stone Academy Special Education Teacher
