Who We Are
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People’s Perception Project (P3) is a civic education organization serving schools across New York State. We deliver in-school programs that connect high school students annually to the power of journalism and community organizing. Our programs help students explore civic issues, influence public narrative, and take meaningful action in their communities.
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Young people deserve more than textbook knowledge—they need real opportunities to practice democracy in their everyday lives.
Our programs meet that need. Rooted in students’ lived experiences and strengthened by local partnerships, they align with initiatives like New York State’s Seal of Civic Readiness to help schools reimagine civic learning.
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The future of civic education isn’t about memorizing systems—it’s about building power, shifting culture, and advancing justice from the ground up.
We envision students at the center of a powerful, interconnected movement for civic change—supported by educators, journalists, and grassroots leaders.
“I learned that civics doesn't
always have to be political,
it can just be helping the community.”
– Senior at Albany High School
Our Programs
At P3, we offer two core programs that support students in taking civic action through journalism and community organizing. Both programs are built to help students understand how power works, amplify their voices, and lead with purpose in their communities.
A year-long civic learning experience where students explore issues that matter to them and develop a civic capstone project to create change in their schools or communities.
A year-long civic learning experience where students explore issues that matter to them and develop a civic capstone project to create change in their schools or communities.
A three-session media literacy experience connecting schools with local newsrooms to investigate and publish stories missing from the public narrative, centering youth voices and perspectives.
A three-session media literacy experience connecting schools with local newsrooms in order to analyze, assign, and publish stories missing from the public narrative, centering youth voices and perspectives.
“I recently took part in the Student-Centered Journalism Project with Sierra Sangetti-Daniels. I visited Rome Free Academy, sharing my 30 years of experience as a reporter in a local news market, with upper-class journalism students. The students went from uncertain and detached, to confident and engaged, realizing that they can, in fact, influence the news we cover. They can, in fact, have a voice. It was encouraging and thrilling to watch this transformation take place. One of the students is now an intern at the station where I work. GREAT program!”
— Joleen Ferris, Reporter NEWS Channel 2 Utica, NY
Student-Centered Journalism
in the News
These stories were published in local outlets through our student-centered approach to news analysis and story development, with student voices playing a central role in the publishing process.
Rome Free Academy presents its plan to tackle youth drug use
This story was done in collaboration with the People's Perception (P3) Project and students from Rome Free Academy. – Observer-Dispatch
Published by Laura Sitterly, Utica Observer Dispatch | April 10, 2024
Albany residents reflect on Juneteenth meaning
Done in collaboration with the P3 Project, The Center for Law and Justice and students from the Albany Community Charter School. - Spectrum News 1
Published by Mercedes Williams, Spectrum News 1 Albany, NY | June 21, 2021
P3 engaging high school students in journalism
Published by Joleen Ferris, NEWS Channel 2 Utica, NY | February 8, 2023
Local high school students are getting involved in local journalism through the People's Perception Project. - News Channel 2
Pain of Albany gun violence, still fresh a decade later
Published by Massarah Mikati, Times Union | July 10, 2021
This story was written at the suggestion of students from Green Tech High School in Albany as part of a collaboration with P3. - Times Unions
“P3 has been an invaluable partner in the City School District of Albany's work to empower our students. They have been integral in the development of meaningful civic engagement and experiences for our students through the lens of social justice. They have been exceptionally responsive to our needs, creative in developing tools and programs that are tailored to our unique district experience and have developed a culture of trust and support with our students. We are thankful for their excellent work.”
— Robert LaCasse, Social Studies Department Chair, Secondary Instructional Supervisor for Social Studies and World Languages + Sean Fitzsimons, Social Studies Department Chair, Albany High school.
Community Partners
At P3, we partner with grassroots organizers and community leaders whose voices and expertise shape our programs. Their contributions bring each session to life and deepen the civic learning for students. Thank you to our community partners!
Community Partners
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Albany NAACP
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Albany District (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Links
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The Red Bookshelf
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Alliance for Quality Education
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Poor People's Campaign
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RISSE (Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc.)
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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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Soul Fire Farm
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We Are Revolutionary
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518SNUG
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YouthFX
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Troy NAACP
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All of Us
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Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
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The MoonCatcher Project
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Release Aging People in Prison
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Social Enterprise And Training Center
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Afghan Community Center
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Embrace Thy Crown
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Freedom Unshackled
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In Our Own Voices
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Party for Socialism and Liberation
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Troy 4 Black Lives
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Capital Streets
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YWCA
Meet the Team
Sierra Sangetti-Daniels
Founder and Director
Albany, New York
P3 Founder and Director, Sierra Sangetti-Daniels is a journalist, educator, and media organizer. In 2021, she founded People’s Perception Project (P3), a civic education organization serving schools across New York State. At P3, she designs programs like Student-Centered Journalism, a collaboration between public schools and local newsrooms.
Currently, Sierra is the Community and Culture Steward at News Futures, a collective reimagining local news systems to empower civic participation.
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Previously, Sierra served as Program Director at Press Pass NYC, where she helped launch and sustain student newspapers across NYC public schools. Her journalism career includes roles as an Assignment Editor at a television station serving the Capital Region and Hudson Valley Region, and as a columnist for The Daily Star in her hometown of Oneonta, NY. She has also worked as a teaching artist for Reel Works and as a substitute teacher in the NYC Department of Education.
She’s a contributor to The Roadmap for Local News, an emergent approach to meeting civic information needs.
She published the article, Why Newsrooms should Open Their Editing Process to Marginalized Communities
She hosted and facilitated the book talk Meet Me at the Library with Library Futures.
Diandra Sangetti-Daniels
P3 Classroom Educator
Albany, New York
Alejandro Castillo
P3 Classroom Intern
Schenectady, New York
Neimra Couliably
P3 Engagement Editor
Schenectady, New York
Emily Ceballos
P3 Spanish Translator
Bronx, New York
Jesús Santana
P3 Creative Designer
Bronx, New York
“During my civic project, I learned
how important it is to keep
our world clean for the
next generation.
– Senior at Albany High School
