Summer is a time of liberation and growth for youth as it is for movements for justice. Youth are free! You can hear it in the collective shrill at last bell of the year. Youth know instinctively -a moment of freedom is not to be wasted. Yet, we need not be like the grasshopper, who wasted his summer dancing and singing in Aesop’s (who was Ethiopian) fable, The Ant and Grasshopper. We should do as Proverbs suggest consider the ants, who work collectively and rigorously over the summer. What we do in the summer plants the fall’s harvest and provides what we will store to get us through the winter to another spring.

I am excited about the Empower DC Youth Organizing Project’s FIRST Summer program. We have five great young leaders, who will get a chance to introduce themselves below. As EYOP Youth Mobilizers, they will be organizing side-by-side with our great team of organizers and their campaigns, helping to plant the seeds to make Empower DC intergenerational by bring youth into the fight for a fair and just District of Columbia. It is a moment of deep growth for the organization. It is also a moment of liberation. We are planting the seeds for a new generation of activists, leaders and organizers. The youth are our future and they are our NOW. The city needs the inspiring and authentic leadership of its young people now more than ever. Be inspired!

My name is Kamari Bowman but most people call me by my nickname Mari. I was born on July 8th, 1995 in Washington DC. I attend Woodrow Wilson SHS and I’m a rising senior, so that makes me class of 2013. I have interests in many things such as food, music, shopping and cheerleading. My number one interest is food because I love to eat and cook. Some music artists that I enjoy listening to are Trey Songz and Rick Ross. My best friend would say that I am helpful, funny, mature and outgoing, but at times mean. For example there were times in school that I would pick on people for no reason. Also whenever I was upset about something I would take my anger out on others even though they didn’t do anything.

My proudest moment was actually this year because I passed to the 12th grade. My 11th grade year was my hardest year since I started high school. As of right now, I’m considering majoring in Culinary Arts or Social Work. Most likely I think I will end up majoring in Culinary Arts, because like I said before, I love to eat and cook. Right now, I’m not too sure which school I would like to attend to pursue my career choice, but I know that it’s about time that I start looking because the school year will go by fast.

My family means so much to me, I would give up everything I have for my family if it ever came down to that. I always cherish every moment I spend with my family because tomorrow is never promised for anyone.

Whenever I’m out helping the community I’m making a difference. Whether it’s preparing the food at Martha’s Table so it can be cooked or handing out shirts, bread and dessert to the homeless, I’m making a difference. Even if it’s not the community that I’m helping, if I’m helping someone in school or at home I’m making a difference. If I’m teaching or helping a person then they will be able to do the same; it’s called “Paying It Forward.”

Affordable housing is the Empower DC issue that affects me the most because I believe that everyone should have a roof over their head. There are many people out here that work but aren’t making enough money to afford a house of their liking so they need something that can accommodate their price range, and that also goes for the ones who are living off of welfare and social security.

My name is Olando Nath. I was born at Children’s Hospital on May 8th 1996. I’m in the 11th grade at Friendly High School. The Empower DC issue that affects me most is jobs because a lot of people need jobs to go home, take care of their children, put cloths on their back, food in their mouth, shoes on their feet and take care of themselves. My best qualities are working, and math. My best friend would say I am . . . → Read More: Empower DC’s Summer of Youth