From Awareness to Action: Ma’at Youth Take the Lead

HCN’s Ma’at Youth Leadership program is designed to equip young people, especially those overcoming instability and trauma, with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to lead. Through peer mentoring, community outreach, leadership training, and advocacy work, our students gain hands-on experience in making a difference. By strengthening their abilities in communication, teamwork, goal setting, and self-advocacy, they not only improve their communities but also grow into more confident and capable individuals. 

February was a month of powerful learning, reflection, and action for our Ma’at Youth Leadership participants. In honor of Black History Month, they stepped into the role of educators and changemakers, creating presentations on pressing social issues that affect their lives and communities.

One of the impactful presentations examined gender inequality, highlighting how it shapes access to education, career opportunities, leadership roles, healthcare, and even personal safety. As a Ma’at Youth Leader expressed, it’s unfair that people still have to fight for equal opportunities because of something they cannot control. While society has made progress, systemic barriers remain, limiting people based on outdated biases.

Another group explored the connection between public transportation and Black liberation, emphasizing how access to reliable transit can open doors to economic and social mobility. They shed light on the ways transportation policies have historically excluded Black communities from opportunity and discussed ways to advocate for more equitable systems.

The Ma’at Youth Leadership program is about doing. Each month, our participants take what they learn and apply it to real-world situations, making an impact in their schools, communities, and personal lives. The work they did in February reflects their dedication to social justice and personal growth. It’s exciting to support their leadership with tools, resources, and encouragement they need to continue making a difference. 

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