On Saturday, October 26, the 2nd Annual Youth Advocacy Summit will convene, an event created for youth, by youth and co-hosted League of Education Voters (LEV) and the Community Center for Education Results (CCER). The summit is open to all and is an opportunity for students, parents, leaders, youth organizations, and members of the community to listen, learn, and participate in student advocacy efforts, hear what they are passion about and to learn from their experiences with education.
“Youth Advocacy Summit offers youth from across Washington a chance to showcase their leadership, learn how to use their voices for change, and connect with those who care about youth empowerment,” says Arik Korman, CEO of League of Education Voters.
A community call
“We encourage adults and community advocates to join in and support the next generation of advocates,” Korman added. “Whether you’re a young leader ready to make a difference or a community advocate looking to support youth, this event is for you.”
The nonprofit LEV is a statewide education advocacy organization and has championed student equity within education system reform. The nonprofit Community Center for Education Results is working to increase equitable policies and practices with the goal of 70 percent of South Seattle and South King County students earning a college degree or career credential by 2030.
Learning from and with youth
During the summit, participants will invited to join youth-led workshops led by youth from the Washington Youth Alliance and local high schools on advocacy topics and skills that matter to them. The will also:
- Hear from the panel of youth from the nonprofit Eastside Pathways as they share their journeys getting started with advocacy.
- Be invited to practice speech-writing, public speaking, and sharing their passion with confidence facilitated by the nonprofit Speak With Purpose.
- Learn how youth can participate in the research process as a powerful tool for advocacy in a presentation by Community Center for Education Results.
- Be invited to participate in a The Root of Our Youth training session on racial healing circles and the importance of identity.
- And hear from 2025 Washington State Teacher of the Year, Kim Broomer.
Korman says the summit is designed to “give students, families, and community members tools to advocate for changes they would like to see in their schools, their communities, and society at large.
“We are excited about this year’s theme—A Student Survival Guide for Advocacy in Uncertain Times,” Korman added. “Some of the issues featured this year will be student mental health, how to advocate when you’re a brave, lone voice, how to advocate for change in rural areas, and a workshop on racial healing.”
Details
The summit takes place Saturday, October 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Renton Pavilion Events Center, located at 233 Burnett Street S. Participants can also join via Zoom. Lunch will be provided. Click here to register.
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