Fire in the Belly

The Battery Powered community gathered for an inspiring night of discussion, art, and learning at expert night for Youth Uplift.  We challenged ourselves to think about how we, as philanthropists, support these young people to find pride, purpose, and joy in their lives. 

The night started with Leticia Guzman, a Teaching Artist and spoken word performer who works with Youth Speaks. Leticia guided the audience through a piece focused on community while the audience chimed in with supporting snaps, claps, and ‘mmmms’. Leticia’s smooth jazz voice tells us the story of community - “Listening with intention. Our stories and wisdom transcending. It is acknowledgement of the land, of our privilege. How we take and make space.” 

With our intentions in place, moderator and Principal of California Children’s Trust, Alex Briscoe, opened the discussion with keywords - intersectionality, accountability, and compassion. Monica Cordova reflected on her youth and the struggles she felt when moving often her  school years, “the various systems that young people are navigating it’s so layered.” The panel honed in on intersecting systems (e.g., housing, education, student debt, economic inequality)  that youth are struggling with and that resistance is a crucial way for them to grapple with the inequities they face. Another key topic was the toxic culture our society has created for young people and the 24/7 media perpetuating stigma and discrimination affecting young people and their mental health. 

Student activist Jackie Gutierrez, shared the role of her organizing work for working-class communities and communities of color through San Francisco Rising in her own learning and wellness.  And Villy Wang uplifted the role of supporting youth to tell their own stories in, “Take back your narrative; your story matters.” 

The night’s speakers and key themes were illustrated by artist Adam Rosendahl in the image at the top of this article!

To see the evening in full, find the recording HERE.