Meet the Changemakers of Our Autonomous Youth Council
On June 26, Youth Forward MKE held a pivotal meeting to explore the Autonomous Youth Council, set to launch on July 8. The virtual meeting provided a platform for attendees to meet the council members and facilitators, and to understand the significance and impact of this new initiative.
The Vision
AYC members learn about their role during a June Create Space event.
"At Youth Forward MKE, we believe that our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today," shared Maria Hamidu, Milwaukee Succeeds' high school success project manager. "It is our responsibility and privilege to prioritize their development, their voices and their well-being. The Autonomous Youth Council was born from this mission. It's a council for youth, by youth, where they can exercise their voice and shape the decisions that impact them."
The Autonomous Youth Council aims to empower its 29 members – two-thirds of whom are 17 or younger – with the tools and opportunities to become informed and engaged citizens. This initiative focuses on leadership and advocacy, equipping youth with essential skills and systems thinking. Beginning during the Summer Academy this July, participants will learn about youth-adult equity, the history of education in Milwaukee, culturally relevant education practices, and community organizing and advocacy.
Uplifting Youth Voice
Youth are the driving force behind this council, and their excitement is already palpable. According to a pre-council survey, one of the main factors motivating them is the ability to make connections and build their own communities. During the meeting, council members were invited expand on these motivations and explore what they hope to gain from the process.
Several members expressed a desire to advocate for causes they strongly believe in and to create a brighter future for themselves and their peers.
"I like speaking about things that I strongly believe in," Lola shared. "So I knew that this would be a good fit for me."
Other members emphasized the importance of having a voice and being able to influence the decisions that affect their lives.
"What drew me to the Autonomous Youth Council is, in our reality, youth are our future," said Laya. "So making sure that they're able to have a bright future ahead of them is really important to me."
Eva added, "What attracted me to the council was the community of young people. I think it's really important that we work together and let our voices be known because a lot of times, adults don't listen to teenagers."
Yet more members highlighted the benefits of gaining knowledge and making connections through the council.
Nay shared, "I was attracted to this youth council because I thought it was something that could be beneficial for me, such as gaining more knowledge and connections with others."
Facilitator Insights
The Summer Academy facilitators are already gearing up to lead engaging sessions that promise to empower and educate Milwaukee’s youth.
Maria Hamidu checks in an AYC member during the Create Space event.
Lou Burnett and Matt Nink from SKY Schools are set to kick off "Mental Health Mondays," responding directly to youth demands for more mental health supports. Their sessions will focus on stress and anxiety reduction techniques, empowering youth to manage their emotions through breathwork and resilience-building exercises.
“Stress and anxiety do crazy things. They stop us in our tracks,” explained Lou. “I got some breathing techniques and all types of tools youth can throw in their toolbox to help alleviate and manage that.”
Markasa Tucker-Harris of the African American Roundtable will delve into the intricacies of organizing, emphasizing the essentials for effective campaigns and the importance of strategic tactics like canvassing and lobbying. Reflecting on the significance of youth involvement, Markasa highlighted the need for consistent youth input in decision-making throughout Milwaukee.
“It is important for our young people to be at every table when we’re talking about rebuilding and building this city,” she shared.
David Castillo of Equitable Systems Consultants and We Will All Rise will explore historically responsive education practices, aiming to address longstanding inequities in classroom settings. David emphasized the need for educational approaches that ensure quality learning experiences for Black and Brown students, with the goal of improving academic outcomes through culturally relevant teaching methods.
Finally, Angela Harris of the Black Educators Caucus will lead discussions on equity, guiding youth through conversations on what it means and how to create more equitable spaces. Angela will also explore Milwaukee's educational history, linking past inequities to current challenges and empowering participants to develop their own equity plans they can implement in their schools.
In addition to these courses, youth will have the chance to participate in explorative and experiential opportunities, such as bus and museum tours around Milwaukee. These activities directly address their desire for more hands-on learning experiences outside of traditional classroom settings.
Future Phases
The Summer Academy will draw to a close on August 2, yet this won’t mark the end of the learning journey. The second phase of the council will begin this fall, building on the summer’s learning with an overview of the local policy landscape, budgeting, funding and data-driven decision-making. In 2025, these youth will be placed on decision-making bodies throughout the community, with the opportunity to exercise the wide range of skills they’ve developed.
Evaluation and Impact
Kristin Kappelman discusses data with the youth council members.
Milwaukee Succeeds is committed to data-driven decision-making to ensure the lasting impact of the Autonomous Youth Council. Through ongoing evaluations, we aim to understand and support the growth of each youth participant.
The robust evaluation process will include interviews, focus groups, observations, surveys and a unique photo voice component. This mixed-method approach will ensure the program’s effectiveness, measuring everything from attendance to overall satisfaction with the curriculum.
Early survey results indicate that these youth are starting with a strong foundation.
“All members of the Autonomous Youth Council agree or strongly agree that they're comfortable being an advocate for a topic that means a lot to them,” explained Samantha Reynoso, a data analyst for Milwaukee Succeeds.
Yet there’s still room for growth, particularly when it comes to culturally responsive education practices, youth-adult equity and understanding the history of education in Milwaukee. Facilitators will be working to fill these gaps so our youth can enter their placements with the strongest possible footing.
A Promising Future
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards creating a brighter, more equitable future for our youth and our community,” said Maria.
The Autonomous Youth Council has been years in the making, with countless partners, staff and youth contributing to its creation. Now the time has finally come to put our plans into action. Let’s prepare our young leaders to take the reins, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and empowered Milwaukee.
