More than 200 young people, community leaders, and allies gathered at the Chicago Cultural Center for a powerful event that placed youth voices at the center of the conversation on mental health.
Hosted by Born This Way Foundation, After School Matters, and The Obama Foundation, the event featured candid discussions, artistic performances, and resource-sharing designed to address the growing challenges young people face.
Youth Voices Front and Center
The highlight of the day was a youth-led panel led by
- Alexandra S. a Michigan high school student, combines her love of music with a deep commitment to social justice—earning statewide and national awards for her community service. She aspires to a career in law to give teens a platform to be heard and to advance equity in her community and beyond.
- Ekram Y. a Computer Science student at the University of Illinois Chicago and proud GirlForward alumna, Ekram uses her passion for technology and storytelling to uplift others, exemplifying resilience and leadership in every space she’s part of.
- Jaqueza T. has founded a nonprofit, advised the Mayor of Chicago, and served as a police cadet—all while pursuing a political science degree at UIC. His mission is to ensure young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead change.
- Oliver M. a graduate of Curie Metropolitan High School, found his passion for culinary arts through After School Matters’ cooking and baking program and now studies at Kendall College to pursue his dream of becoming a pastry chef.
Together, they spoke openly about the mental health pressures their generation is navigating and offered solutions ranging from expanding access to safe spaces to increasing opportunities for peer-to-peer support.
“Through my After School Matters culinary program, baking became more than a skill—it became my therapy, my safe space, and where I found my people,” shared Oliver M. ASM alumni. “Young people need more spaces like that.”
“This event made me slow down and really reflect on how far I’ve come, and how much further we can go when young people are actually believed in,” shared Jaqueza Thomas, Founder & CEO of the youth-led nonprofit Chicago Emerging Stars. “At Chicago Emerging Stars, that belief is where everything starts. I’ve felt that same energy through the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, where I learned that sometimes the most radical thing you can do for a young person is just show up and listen. Kindness, to me, isn’t soft. It’s the foundation. It’s how we build trust, shift narratives, and create spaces where youth don’t just exist, they lead.”
Breakout sessions allowed teens from across Chicago to continue these conversations in smaller groups, joined by community leaders who listened and exchanged ideas. Attendees engaged in a session that introduced the Be There Certificate, a free online course that teaches young people how to recognize when someone might be struggling, understand their role in supporting that person, and connect them to the help they need and deserve. The course is available in English, Spanish, and French and attendees were invited to earn the full certificate following the event.
A Stage for Creativity
The afternoon came alive with performances that embodied resilience and hope. Dancers from After School Matters’ Les Enfants program delivered a moving piece set to “Broken Dishes,” while Chicago hip-hop artist Zion Ali performed original songs that inspired the crowd.
Attendees also received hats generously gifted by the Cotton On Foundation, which they were able to customize throughout the event, channeling their individuality during the thought-provoking conversations.
The Bigger Picture
Organizers underscored the urgency of events like this one. The number of young people reporting mental health struggles has climbed steadily in recent years, making spaces for honest dialogue more critical than ever.
“We know from research that young people are at the forefront of supportive mental health change,” shared Alexandra D., Born This Way Foundation event participant. “They don’t only want resources, they want the tools they can use right now to support themselves and their peers.”
For many in attendance, the event was a reminder that our young people are not just participants in these conversations—they are leading them. By uplifting their voices, we not only support their wellbeing—we strengthen the fabric of our communities. To learn more about Born This Way Foundation and the resources they offer, visit https://bornthisway.foundation/.