Girl Advocates Team Up for 2022 Spark Change Day
“Who is an advocate? YOU, are!” – Sam
This simple yet powerful statement marked the kick-off of the Annual Spark Change Day which took place at Hutson-Tillotston University on Saturday, May 14th. This was the second event this year held by the Spark Change Project, a partnership between the Exellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network. The first event held this year was a Spark Change Project Town Hall Meeting.
The teenage Spark Change Facilitators, a team of five girls of color hired part-time by the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network to find their own activist voices, and galvanize a wider network of their peers to develop a policy agenda, led the attendees through training sessions on the topics of advocacy, activism and civic engagement.
The team of girl advocates facilitated conversations around topics such as curriculum censorship, issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community, criminal injustices, and maternal healthcare inequities, topics that they’ve spent months researching in preparation for the event.
More than 33 youth attended the event including the past cohort of teen Spark Change Facilitators. The energy in the room was vibrant as youth learned how these issues affect them and their communities directly and reflected on the ways they can be engaged in decision making at the policy level. True to form for Girls Empowerment Network, the discussions were ignited by fun icebreakers, trust-building exercises, and girl empowerment vibes.
The panel Q&A on “The Power and Promise of Youth Advocacy: A Conversation with Female Changemakers” and discussion came after lunch time. Attendees worked in groups prior to the panel discussion to come up with questions to ask the panel of female changemakers. Girls asked questions such as “how did you gain the confidence to speak about issues you are passionate about?”
Panelists included:
Roxanne Lawson, a co-executive director of programs for Youth Rise Texas, an Austin-based organization serving gender oppressed, BIPOC youth ages 14-22 whose parents have been removed from the home due to criminalization, detention or deportation.
Delia Garza, who serves as Travis County’s Attorney, an elected position that puts her in a leadership role advising elected officials, prosecuting misdemeanor crimes and seeking protective orders.
Natasha Harper-Madison, an Austin City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem representing District 1, which is part of East Austin.
Later in the afternoon, participants experienced the magic of Power Chats, an opportunity to speak with a female changemaker one-on-one, to ask questions and engage in meaningful and personal conversations.
The goal of the event was to inspire girls and youth of all gender identities to learn more about advocacy, activism and how they can become leaders and get involved to create positive change.
Attendees and their parents expressed their excitement to be back in-person at this event.
One mother said on Instagram:
“My daughter had SO much fun. I expected her to enjoy it but when I picked her up she was so excited, joyful, and motivated...great stuff!!”
About Spark Change Project
The Spark Change Project is a collaboration between the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network, two nonprofits with complementary missions and a desire to help more girls of color find their activist voices and advocate for change in their communities.