Aurora Wellness Community’s Post

With another year of SXSW EDU in the books, what are some takeaways for higher education? After hearing expert insights at various panels, here’s a perspective from our VP of Product & Content Marketing, Christine Lee, into what higher education might expect to see in the year ahead. 

Empowering Communities, One Step at a Time 🌍 At Signals from the Grassroots, we believe in the power of the youth to spearhead meaningful change within their communities. Our mission is not just about addressing immediate needs but about giving hope, courage, and opportunities to those who need it most. We’re dedicated to empowering young people to take the lead in transforming their environments, driving social progress, and creating a brighter future for all. Our work spans across various initiatives, from the “Keep Her In School” project, which addresses menstrual hygiene and education for girls, to broader community development programs that uplift entire districts. We focus on holistic, grassroots efforts that not only meet immediate needs but also build long-term resilience and capacity within communities. Why is this important to us? Because we know that real change comes from within, and when young people are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they can change the world. Through our programs, we’re making a difference by ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to lead, innovate, and inspire. Together, we’re not just making an impact—we’re building a movement. 💪🌱 #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityDevelopment #GrassrootsChange #SocialImpact #EducationForAll #SignalsFromTheGrassroots #Empowerment #HopeAndCourage #ChangeMakers

JFF is vital to the post-release outcomes for people leaving jails and prisons. There are 40,000+ barriers for people to overcome to have the opportunity to apply their education to meaningful roles that pay a living wage. If you can make it to DC, this event will illuminate the issues and in true JFF fashion, offer actionable solutions. Jobs for the Future (JFF) #horizons

Enhancing Youth Engagement Through Community Events Today, my wife and I had the privilege of walking through the incredible gingerbread house contest at the Allegheny Courthouse. What stood out to me most was the creativity and effort displayed by high school students and youth organizations who participated. This event reminded me how powerful community engagement can be, especially for our young people. To deepen this impact, imagine the county hosting a special evening dedicated to these youth participants—an opportunity to celebrate them and their contributions. Invite the mayor, county commissioners, police and fire chiefs, local businesses, and perhaps even a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pirates, or Steelers. To make it even more meaningful, each contestant could receive a handwritten note from the county commissioners or their team, acknowledging the value of their creativity and encouraging them to continue building a better community. A small gesture like this can leave a lasting impression and inspire our youth to stay engaged and empowered. Let’s prioritize creating opportunities that recognize and encourage the next generation. They are, after all, the foundation of our community’s future. What other ways have you seen youth engagement amplified in community events? I'd love to hear your thoughts! #YouthEngagement #CommunityBuilding #PositiveYouthDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #CreativityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #BuildingTheFuture #CommunityLeadership #InspireYouth #PreventionMatters #YouthInAction #StrongerTogether #CelebrateCreativity

The onus of forging a brighter future rests not solely on established institutions, but squarely on the shoulders of today's youth. Their dynamism, unburdened by entrenched ideologies, positions them uniquely to challenge the status quo and champion transformative change. Let us empower this generation, providing the platforms and resources necessary to harness their boundless potential. Their active engagement in community development—through innovative initiatives, collaborative projects, and courageous advocacy—is not merely desirable, but indispensable to creating sustainable, equitable communities for all. The time for decisive action is now; the future depends on the empowered youth of today.

I had the privilege of addressing youths in Matero and here are some points as to why Youth Engagement is important. Youth engagement is critically important for several reasons: - Fresh Perspectives and Innovation: Young people bring new ideas, creativity, and fresh perspectives to societal issues and challenges. Their innovative thinking can lead to novel solutions that benefit communities and society as a whole. - Empowerment and Participation: Engaging youth empowers them to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and futures. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their communities. - Building Civic Responsibility: Youth engagement helps in cultivating civic responsibility and a sense of duty towards society. When young people are involved in community service, volunteering, and advocacy, they develop a deeper understanding of social issues and the importance of contributing positively to society.

Seeing work focusing on Black male achievement continue is amazing. The Mayor's Office of Black Male Advancement is doing great work. In STEM we must do better supporting organizations embracing the brilliance of Black men and boys as they are woefully underrepresented in all aspects of STEM. The Hidden Genius Project Black Boys Code Mission Fulfilled 2030 "Only approximately 1% of individuals enrolled in graduate engineering programs in the United States are Black males (American Society for Engineering Education, 2020; Burt et al., 2018). Alarmingly, the small number of Black males earning doctoral degrees in engineering has steadily dwindled over time (American Society for Engineering Education, 2019). In research on practices that impact Black males’ participation and retention in engineering, little attention is paid to their educational aspirations; however, much is known about the multitude of problems and barriers they experience in their graduate programs. Being forced to endure stereotypical and racialized experiences in the admission process and throughout their programs from non-Black peers and advisors (Burt et al., 2019a), while having to work twice as hard to be recognized and sacrificing school/ life balance as a result (McGee et al., 2019), Black males are prevented from entering or are pushed out of engineering. Moreover, even for those with an early penchant for engineering (Burt and Johnson, 2018; McGee et al., 2016) the accumulation of these barriers impacts their ability to construct an engineering identity (Benjamin et al., 2022) and hampers the socialization process needed to assume their desired professional role (Johnson and Strayhorn, 2022). Tasked with simultaneously navigating a hostile institutional environment and proving their competence, some Black males may find the cost of pursuing postsecondary education too high." Citation: Burt, B. A., Stone Jr, B. D., Porter, T., & Wallace, J. D. (2023). ASPIRING TO THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: FACTORS INFLUENCING BLACK MALES’PURSUIT OF ENGINEERING GRADUATE DEGREES. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 29(5).

Disclaimer: You wont meet my professional representative here. I I think this is the year of accountability! This is the perfect space to be honest about what happens privately, professionally to WOC by WOC! Don’t worry it will NOT all be negative there’s a few good people left here & if I edify them know they’ve touched my soul. I really have to learn how to use LinkedIn! I am so confused how I’m seeing habitual “MEAN GIRLS” being honored on my feed. Do I have to unfollow the MEN 👀 and WOMEN who operate in a fear of loss congratulating them? I mean I expected it from women but, men too! It’s giving #StevieWonder what’s mind-boggling to me is that these are people who were aware I was helping #Cleveland foster youth with my own capital! This California girl who’s leveraged Cleveland wanted me to get “skin in the game” for a 80 dollar grant! Make payments on a membership with the Women Buisness Center! Imagine not being able to get a grant because you wear name brand shoes! Well at least that’s what was told to me! I even offered leveraging my social media so that WOC who assimilate to the culture could utilize their services. My intentions for Foster Care is so pure that even a blind man can feel it! The question becomes are you attached to the person or are you attached to the mission? Because if you’re attached to the mission, saving kids should always be our priority as they are, the people who will be responsible for taking care of us. #FosterCare I’m here to disrupt and dismantle how disposable Black women are to Black women Oh and and I spend the rest of my time helping #fosteryouth with my own capital!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County offers a range of activities and programs that cater to the interests and passions of young individuals. This not only helps them discover their talents and skills but also provides a sense of purpose and belonging. By engaging in these activities, individuals feel like they are part of a community and contribute to something bigger than themselves. Furthermore, Boys & Girls Clubs also play a vital role in instilling values such as empathy, kindness, and respect in young individuals. By encouraging them to participate in community service and outreach programs, these clubs emphasize the importance of giving back and being a responsible member of society. This sense of responsibility and contribution to the community further strengthens the sense of belonging within the Club. In conclusion, Boys & Girls Clubs are more than just a recreational organization; they are a community that fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance. By providing a safe and inclusive space for young individuals to connect, learn, and grow, these clubs play a crucial role in shaping the future generation. Let us continue to support and promote such organizations that contribute to the holistic development of our youth.

Listen up, because this one’s for the ‘adults in the room’ 👀 Y’all stay talking about ‘these kids nowadays’ but let me put you on game real quick: Our young people are GENIUS. They’re visionary. They’re whole. And if you can’t see that, you might be the problem. 💯 I spend days watching youth break down systems, propose solutions, and imagine futures that most ‘experts’ could never. Meanwhile some of y’all still stuck on dress codes and respectability politics. The math ain’t mathing. 🤔 Real talk: The only youth problem we got is adults who won’t get out the way. Who won’t listen. Who won’t trust. Who won’t invest. So here’s your invitation to level up: - Listen more than you speak - Fund what youth say they need - Trust their expertise - Check your ego at the door And please... PLEASE... stop saying “back in my day” 😤 To my young kings and queens holding it down: keep being unapologetically you. We’re working on these grown folks, I promise. ✊🏽 #RealTalk #YouthPower #AdultsNeedToDoBetter #SystemChange #YouthWork #NextGenLeaders #TrustYouth #CommunityWork #SpeakTruth