Youth CommUNITY Conversations
Young people have a unique perspective in society. They hold powerful beliefs, skillsets, and lived experiences. We recognize they will inherit whatever world this generation creates, and, in many spaces, they represent those closest to the problems that we seek to solve. Youth CommUNITY Conversations are an opportunity to lift the youth voice and empower the next generation to proactively work to build the future they envision. Our desire is to see youth participate in collective impact work to influence policy and practice in education in Kenosha County to ensure that all children can meet their potential regardless of race, zip code or circumstance.
For the 2022-2023 school year we are excited to continue our partnership with the Kenosha Unified School District and the African American Youth Initiative (AAYI) to convene monthly conversations to provide a space for students to share their ideas and create strategies for systems change based on a student created vision. We look forward to endless possibilities through these monthly conversations. ALL middle and high school students are welcome, Catch us at a school near you! Oct. 19, 2022 - Bradford High School Nov. 30, 2022 – Reuther Central High School Jan. 19, 2023 – BOF and The Coalition For Dismantling Racism are partnering for a special Kindness Week event! Courageous Conversations- KUSD Students Speak Up and Speak Out. An all KUSD student panel will address school violence and school safety using kindness. Location: Civil War Museum, Resource Center - 5400 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI at 5pm. Feb. 15, 2023- Indian Trail High School and Academy March 20, 2023- Lincoln Middle School Doors open at 4 p.m. and convo starts at 4:30 p.m. • Refreshments provided • Masks optional |
Youth Leadership Cohort
Building Our Future sees an opportunity to engage youth and lift the student voice around decisions that directly affect them.
Taking inspiration from other communities in the Strive Together Network, we have launched a three-month opportunity for youth to lead and engage in specific projects that elevate their voice. The three-month leadership cohort provides tangible tools to help advance youth’s leadership skills in school, at work and in life. The opportunity allows KUSD high school students to develop leadership skills such as, conflict resolution, continuous improvement, organizing and event planning. Our next project will be creating and executing a Youth Town Hall: School Board Candidate Forum. This project will allow students to learn more about the school board and its responsibilities; and build community awareness around school board candidates for the 2023 KUSD school board election. Each class of our Youth Leadership Cohort will consist of twelve students.
If you're interested in more information about how to join our cohort please email Lawrence Kirby at lkirby@buildingourfuturekc.org
To learn more about our previous cohort explore:
Curious to learn more? Hear directly from the youth who participated in our previous Youth Leadership Cohort in our Together, We're Better podcast episodes, "The Youth Takeover Part 1" and, "The Youth Takeover Part 2." And, listen to our episode on, "Why Young Voices Matter."
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