16-02-2025
‘The next bright light': Youth discuss community problems with city leaders
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Crime and mental health are just a few problems impacting our youth across Shelby County.
While city and county officials are working to address the issues, others in the community are creating their own plans.
When it comes to addressing concerns in our healthcare system, our education system, and even our criminal justice system, we've heard the solutions from our elected officials and even our community leaders.
Now, our next generation of leaders is getting the opportunity to let their voices be heard.
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'So, one really big thing that we live by is, 'Nothing about us without us,' a summit employee said.
Saturday morning, hundreds of youth across Shelby County gathered at Bridges USA in downtown Memphis for one purpose.
'Young people are invested and they want to be involved in their future and they're just waiting for adults to listen to them and that's what this is an opportunity for them to do,' said Ayzia Alexander, the Adult Supervisor for the Shelby County Youth Council.
In collaboration with the Memphis Youth City Council, the Shelby County Youth Council's Youth Voice Summit is an opportunity for young people to discuss problems in their community, come up with solutions and then share their ideas with local elected officials.
'I remember being younger than 18 and people not listening to me when all of these things affected me,' Alexander said. 'So, as a result, I think it's imperative that we listen to them and that we allow them to blossom and create this world that we're living in.'
Organizers said those who attended the summit discussed various topics such as education and public safety.
The workshops and sessions were all led by other youth.
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One young man leading a group discussion about mental health was 14-year-old Marc Williams.
'I just want to end the stigma or the thought that youth in Memphis are troublemakers and they have nothing to do, which is really not true at all,' Williams said. 'We have a lot of youth here honestly. This is more than I even thought of.'
Shakira Braden, 16, told WREG she wants to encourage others her age to speak up about the issues they care about.
'We are the next bright light in this generation and we should be advocating for problems that will potentially impact us,' Braden said.
If you are interested in learning more about the Shelby County Youth Council, click here.
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