Avenues for Justice Hosts A Youth Empowerment Panel: Real Journeys. Real Voices. Real Possibilities.

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At Avenues for Justice (AFJ), we equip our young adults with job readiness skills through our HIRE Up program, which has successfully placed over 70 Participants in paid internships. Beyond providing hands-on employment experience, we are committed to exposing our Participants to the various industries accessible to them through networking events and panel discussions. In March, AFJ hosted Women of Influence, a panel aimed at highlighting women in leadership positions throughout New York City. As part of our continued commitment to amplifying professional networking opportunities for our Participants, AFJ hosted Real Journeys. Real Voices. Real Possibilities. last week, bringing together inspirational changemakers to our Harlem community center.

Real Journeys. Real Voices. Real Possibilities. was a panel-style discussion featuring twelve powerhouses, ranging from artists and authors to activists and coaches. By featuring such a diverse group of speakers, Participants soaked in their unique perspectives. The discussion was empowering as panelists were asked a variety of questions, ranging from their aspirations as teenagers to how they found their way into their careers. Participants were motivated by the different, yet deeply relatable, stories. By sharing the triumphs and hurdles they overcame, panelists wove their personal experiences into meaningful life lessons.

“I wanted our young people to hear stories from professionals who have navigated challenges and were still able to carve their own paths. Oftentimes, young people are told what to do or what’s expected of them, but they rarely get to peek behind the curtain to see what it takes to have success. I put the panel together because I believe our youth need to see themselves in the people doing a large range of work. I wanted the space to feel authentic, optimistic, and real, like a conversation they might have on the street. That’s why I called it Real Journeys. Real Voices. Real Possibilities.” ~AFJ's Job Developer, Shantel Brooks

 "It was great! I loved how everyone was sharing their experiences and their childhood stories of who they were and who they are now. They really caught my attention, and I feel like it was a great eye-opener." ~AFJ Participant, Anyea

"The youth empowerment panel was truly outstanding. What made the panel especially great was how accessible and authentic the conversations felt. Instead of regular questions, the discussion flowed naturally, allowing the panelists to build on each other’s ideas, share personal challenges, and offer practical advice. I liked when the panelist Sherri, who is a nurse, said that it’s never too late to go back to school, especially to become a nurse, or just in general. Overall, all the panelists that came out and gave wise words or advice which will never be forgotten." ~AFJ Participant, Vanessa

“The panel presented an important opportunity for our Participants to engage a diverse range of professionals representing a range of occupations. They got exposure to various career paths they may have never known existed, and they got to see people who looked like them and came from where they come from doing more than surviving; they're thriving. Hopefully, it helped to expand their sense of possibility and opportunity. ~AFJ's Manager of Court Advocacy, Brian Stanley

As part of our HIRE Up continuum of services, panel discussions will continue to be a critical ingredient in our program’s success. We want to thank all the panelists for sharing their stories in community with our young people.

Want To Get Involved?

Make a donation today in support of providing access, exposure and opportunity to our young people citywide. Or if you are interested in providing internship placements or employment opportunities for AFJ Participants, please email Shantel Brooks at sbrooks@avenuesforjustice.org.

 Reflections From Our Panelists

“Some of you might have to work harder to let them know that they are half the person that you are. So never be afraid of working hard and take that chip on your shoulder and just keep going with it.” ~Durval Morgan, Certified Athletic Trainer

“I do not want to continue to see young people like you overlooked, but I want you to adopt exceptional habits. If you adopt those exceptional habits, you're going to have the success you're looking for.” ~Coach Derrick ‘Pi’ Bell, Guerrilla Prince Athletics

“You have these a-ha moments in life, it is more than one, where it will guide you to a different path in life.” ~Sherri McNeil, Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP-S

“At some point, you have to make the decision. You have to make the decision. What is my life going to be like starting tomorrow? Who am I going to surround myself with? Life has already tried to break you all, and it hasn’t. So now, everything else that you’re going to do in the corporate world, any job, that is going to be easy because of what you’ve already survived.” ~Fuquan Collins, Chief Diversity Officer, Turner Construction Company

“We’re all going to get the rejection. In every single career, we've gotten it. The goal is, how do you shift from that?” ~Reginald L. Barnes, Actor