“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”- Shirley Chisholm’s bold proclamation to reclaim her power and demand room for her voice in spaces where women of color were excluded- shaped the mindset I adopted when entering my own leadership positions and when training youth. I am Mariah Green, a 24 year old African American woman and native of D.C who desires to help create equitable systems for black and brown youth. My upbringing in the Anacostia community, firmly rooted my path in advocacy. Like many youth who are observant and fully aware of the disparities in their community, I began to process my environment by inundating my mother with questions- some admittedly she was not equipped to answer.
My neighborhood has changed significantly over the last few years. Up until about 5 years ago, my community was in the center of three carryouts, three fast food chains and two liquor stores all less than a mile between one another. Finding fresh, quality produce would warrant a trip across the bridge to Safeway in the Eastern Market neighborhood. At the age of 14, I began speaking with Council Members about food inequity with a group of peers who also lived in the same neighborhood. We educated elementary school children about the importance of selecting healthy options (when it is available) and the long-term health risks associated with unhealthy eating. My peers and I soon realized that conversations were not enough- insufficient resources and minimal grocery store options to purchase healthy food was the issue and we were unsure about the next step in our advocacy process.
Being uncertain of the next step is the reality for many youth in the city. We are aware of the problem, desire to do something about it- but may not be familiar with navigating the systems and government structures it takes to see real change. This is why I am committed to the vision of DC Youth Moving Forward.
DC Youth Moving Forward is a youth led advocacy and action program incubated out of DC Alliance of Youth Advocates. The program aims to help African-American and Latinx youth create a clear plan for their advocacy work and with the youth -led model, will teach young people critical leadership and advocacy skills they can employ. The ultimate challenge I envision DC Youth Moving Forward addressing is the underrepresentation of people of color in leadership positions, within schools, nonprofit organizations and small businesses in DC.
By creating a program where young people of color can lead efforts and plan advocacy strategies that address what they experience on a day to day basis, their belief systems are challenged, and young people can began to visualize themselves as a future Council Member, Mayor, Founder of a non-profit and any other position of influence.
As a young women of color holding leadership positions in predominantly white spaces, I want to teach other young people of color how to step into those spaces boldly despite fear, knowing that their experiences are valuable and can serve great purpose.
Reflecting on my experience as a teen in DC, I am all too familiar with the frustrations that came along with finding my voice and identifying the proper steps when I wanted to see change in my community. DC Youth Moving Forward will allow me to walk with young people on their journey as they nurture their voice.
As a young women of color in a leadership position I want to support young people of color to step into advocacy boldly, knowing that their experiences are valuable.
If you believe that investing in the leadership potential of young people of color is essential to creating an equitable city for young people across all wards, consider making a contribution to our year end campaign.