Youth Explosion: Empowerment Summit

In partnership with the Youth Initiative of Race Matters for Juvenile Justice (RMJJ), this summit will highlight the voices, passions, and talents of young people with collaborative art, live performance, and community conversation. The schedule below outlines the experience that all are welcome to drop in and participate at any point throughout the day. The summit is created to allow high-school-aged youth to shine by way of artistic and activist expression, and for this reason, are especially encouraged to take part. Please feel free to bring the entire family, and join in as an ally in the celebration.

Note that 100% of the donations from registration will fund giveaways for youth in attendance. All minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times while guests of the Gantt.

Program Schedule

1 pm - 2:30 pm
Your Voice, Your Power: Youth-led Panel and Community Forum
(Performance Suite)

The Youth Initiative leaders of RMJJ discuss a pressing community issue as a panel, followed by an audience talkback.

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Your Connection, Your Power: Conversation with Community Leaders
(Rooftop)

All youth attending the summit will meet and greet relevant community leaders, with the objective of mentorship, hearing perspectives of older leaders, sharing their ideas surrounding their future and building community.

2:30 pm - 4 pm
Your Vision, Your Power: Drop-In Community Art Workshop
(3rd Floor Mezzanine)

Youth and community attending will add to a collective piece that celebrates the power of youth voices, contributions, and talent. The workshop will blend creative writing/empowering statements and collage.

4 pm - 5 pm
Your Talent, Your Power: Spoken Word/Musical Performance + Item Giveaway
(2nd Floor Lobby)

A young spoken word poet and young musician will perform a piece that speaks to youth empowerment and the role of youth in the community, followed by a giveaway of raffle items.

Race Matters for Juvenile Justice is a collaborative leadership group working within our community to reduce disproportionality and disparate outcomes for children and families of color through institutional organizing, education, and workforce development.