Teens Using Their Voices to Advocate for Change at Legislative Summit

Kendall Long '23 and Madison Maynard '23 attended the 2019 Jack and Jill of America, Inc. “On The Hill Legislative Summit” in Washington, D.C. as part of the Cleveland chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The organization is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.

The Legislative Summit focused on three major issues directly impacting teens today - equity in education, gun violence and voter registration. Cleveland chapter teens participated in advocacy training with Soapbox Consulting. They then shared with Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman and Congressional Representatives Marcia Fudge, David Joyce and Tim Ryan the issues impacting their communities, and what they hope their elected officials can do to solve them. Teens also participated in a gun violence prevention rally that was live streamed, calling on all chapters of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and all viewers to take a stand to end gun violence. Our young leaders were poised and confident as they used their voices to advocate for change!