Where Privilege Meets Purpose
A Night with Teens Take Charge
Last night, I was inspired attending the Teens Take Charge (TTC) Annual Showcase at their home base, 25 Broadway. The electrifying evening was a testament to the organization's strong foundation and the incredible young leaders they're nurturing.
The showcase centered on storytelling, with students delivering polished, engaging presentations. Their poise and confidence were remarkable, especially considering the lack of college credit they likely received for this Herculean effort. When hs.credit soon becomes a reality, colleges will witness firsthand the planning, strategizing, and graceful execution these students displayed.
The night showcased two impressive projects:
Democratizing Internships: One group tackled the lack of internship access in under-resourced schools by creating and publicizing their own comprehensive internship resource.
Empowering Central Harlem: The second group delved into the complex issue of gentrification in Central Harlem, culminating in a valuable community resource.
These projects weren't just impressive; they were a powerful demonstration of students leveraging their privilege to uplift low-income communities. If this is the future of our nation's leadership, we are in good hands.
The students' candid reflections on educational inequity were particularly poignant. One student's question, "Does the call have to come from within the house?", underscored the potential for students to initiate change where adults might hesitate. These students embody their organization's name, "Teens Take Charge."
Naturally, I directed them to hs.credit on LinkedIn, though I missed the chance to plug our Instagram. Check out our high school student-led social media experiments there—it's a fascinating glimpse into students mastering digital engagement.
The highlight of the evening was the open-ended Q&A. Insightful questions sparked lively discussions on everything from gentrification to standardized testing. My apologies to the TTC team if I monopolized the conversation; the student questions ignited my passion for these issues.
The Takeaway:
My night with Teens Take Charge solidified a truth I encounter everywhere I go: the time is ripe for hs.credit. Education is at the heart of our societal challenges, and decentralized, nonprofit platforms offering proven solutions will empower the next generation of leaders.
Thank you, Teens Take Charge, for an unforgettable evening, inspiring work, and delicious baked goods! Marlon Rajan , Whitney Stephenson , and the entire TTC team, your gentle guidance worked wonders. You should be incredibly proud.
