Episode 21 - Teens in Politics

Did you know Washington, D.C. has 3 mayors!? Yes, D.C. is led by an official Mayor, voted by citizens. But, there are also two recognized youth mayors who are elected by two separate entities. Check out this episode to hear directly from two esteemed young officials dedicated to civic engagement and politics.

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Diya Bardwell is a recent Youth Mayor with the YMCA's D.C. Youth and Government program. YMCA Youth & Government is a nationwide civic program that prepares high school students for moral and political leadership. During her term, she worked to improve access to youth voting education, civic engagement within local government, and other resources to ensure that every student has equal and equitable access to our programs. Outside of her civics and political work, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, and spending time with her family. 
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Lourdes Robinson is the 72nd Youth Mayor of the District of Columbia. D.C.’s Youth Mayor engages in issues that affect youth. The mayor meets with city leaders and youth to ensure changes are being made, and that youth voices are heard; and pushes for the success of all youth in the District. One of Robinson's initiatives is authoring legislation to implement financial literacy classes in schools. She is heavily involved in International Affairs. Over the summer, she participated in the 2022 United States Youth Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State. Her most recent achievement was founding a not-for-profit organization, Melanated Soul (www.melanatedsoul.co), which provides a mental health outlet for Black youth in the District.