Uplifting Young Black Leaders: BOP’s Summer Youth Space Wrap Up
As the end of August nears and the new school year approaches, we have bid our goodbyes to our youth interns from our Summer Youth Space. Although we like to view our goodbye’s as “see you laters”, the moment still has been bittersweet. Within a short period time we have not only built bonds, but have created a learning space where our Black youth are uplifted, valued, and empowered. The growth that transpired within the 6 weeks is immeasurable beyond words. However, we asked the Youth Space Lead Facilitator Jessica Black to reflect on some of the most memorable moments of the space this summer. Check out what she had to say below!
What are some of the highlights from this year’s Summer Youth Space?
It’s hard to wrap my head around all of the highlights this summer. There was a lot of growth in this space. Some things that come to the top of my head are that 12 youth became new BOP members, 9 of those 12 are on committees, and that all youth who started the program, completed the program (no drop outs!).
What are some of the initial struggles you all faced when starting the space this summer?
In the beginning, learning to be in community with one another, learning to accept, trust, and love one another was a struggle. Yes we are all Black and are unified through that general struggle, however our youth come from various backgrounds and all have their own stories. By the end of the program though, it seemed like everyone was best friends!
What would you do differently next year that you didn’t do this year?
I think this year set a pretty high standard for our youth space’s to come! What would be great to have for next year is more BOP member involvement and community donations. This will increase our capacity and make us able to accept more kids into the program.
What are some of the things the youth got involved in during the space?
The youth really surprised us with the things they took leadership in within the space. You have to understand in the beginning, I had a group of kids that claimed to be “anti-social.” As the weeks passed by they took leadership in several things and proved that wasn’t necessarily the case. Such as:
- Initiated a healing circle on their own in response to the murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling by police officers within a week.
- One youth leader along with a BOP member facilitated an outreach training to the group.
- All youth participated in on the ground street outreach. (A lot of them for their very first time!)
- Wrote, directed, and acted in an original play named: “Every Black Person’s Problem” and performed it during their graduation.
- Strategized and produced a video to address police brutality that BOP can use for future presentations.
What did community engagement look like during this year’s space? This year at the youth space there was excellent parent participation! The parents did everything that they committed to doing from providing lunch daily, to helping create the programs for the graduation. Parents and members really saw the entire process through, it was really great working with everyone and encouraging to see everyone engaged.
What is one word you would use to describe your experience during this year’s youth space?
Transformational
***Special note: We would like to give a huge shout out and special thank you to all the parents and members who helped made this year’s Summer Youth Space possible. Your support is truly appreciated it.