Amplify Youth Voice Project - a reflection

I’ve been reflecting deeply on my dear friend Ach’ Sheila Davis’ powerful post about circular thinking, where she shared, “Growing up, I learned about leadership not as a top-down command but as a shared circle of voices.” She invited us to think about moments in our lives where we’ve experienced this kind of leadership — and this morning, one memory came to mind vividly.

Back in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic and the global reckoning following the murder of George Floyd, I found myself brainstorming with a group of local BIPOC leaders. Our shared question: how could PAL of SWWA actively work toward rebuilding trust between youth and law enforcement? Through collective conversation, an idea emerged — one rooted in the very spirit of circular leadership. We proposed that a group of BIPOC teens meet virtually with local law enforcement to engage in real, unfiltered conversations about community tensions and experiences with policing. The key principle? That the young people would lead. The adults — including us — would be present only to listen and offer support when needed. The power belonged to the youth.

And that’s where the “circular thinking” Ach’ described truly came to life.
After the initial four sessions wrapped up, something incredible happened. A small group of youth who participated wanted to go further. They envisioned a broader dialogue — one that included not just law enforcement, but also first responders, educators, social justice leaders, and local elected officials. They wanted to ask hard questions, understand the root causes of the issues we face, and explore how they, as teens, could be part of the solution. It was bold. It was inspiring. And it was entirely driven by their vision.

Our role as adults? To amplify their efforts. We tapped into our networks and helped bring together some of the most influential figures in our region for a new four-part conversation series — all led by these incredible young leaders. These discussions were held live on Facebook, where their questions, insights, and courage were on full display for the community to witness.
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It was the youth who led the way — who reminded us what leadership truly looks like. They modeled for their peers and for the adults in the room that their voices matter — because they do. For me, someone who deeply believes in listening to and learning from young people, it was a powerful reminder of what can happen when we, as adults, step aside and let youth lead. It was a circle — not a hierarchy — and in that circle, real transformation began.