Our Voices Summit
A national gathering where young people and adult allies come together to practice having hard conversations and solving problems together – then taking what they learn back home.
INTRODUCTION
Conversations for community impact
The Our Voices Summit brings young people ages 14–24 and older adult allies together to listen and learn together. Participants build the skills and confidence to have meaningful conversations and turn shared understanding into action in their communities.
The Challenge
We live in a divided country. Many people lack the tools, trust and space needed for productive conversations across differences.
The Experience
Participants practice dialogue, collaborate with peers and older adult allies, and co-create conversation guides they can use back home.
The Impact
Young people and older adult allies leave ready to strengthen civic trust and work together on issues that matter in their communities.
WHY ATTEND?
Real talk, real plans, real change
Designed in collaboration with Close Up, and Cortico, participants gain the skills and ongoing support to engage in conversations that lead to bold civic solutions.
- Build skills for productive conversations
- Practice active listening and finding common ground
- Work alongside peers and adult allies from a mix of backgrounds and experiences
- Create a conversation guide customized to your community
- Turn insights into local impact
2025 Summit
By the Numbers
How It Works
Before the Summit
You’ll choose an issue that matters in your community and host a conversation with at least one peer and one older adult (24+). We’ll provide a guide to help you get started. You’ll record and submit this conversation ahead of the summit.
During the Summit
- Learn and practice facilitation skills
- Explore how the Cortico platform surfaces insights and under-heard voices
- Compare themes from your conversation with those of other participants
- Work with peers, adult allies, and expert facilitators to co-create a community conversation guide and action plan
After the Summit
You’ll host a larger intergenerational conversation with 6–8 community members, record and submit it, and use shared insights to inform next steps to take action in your community.
Meet Lexi Lund
Lexi Lund, Director of Impact & Inclusion at the Philadelphia 76ers, who joined the Our Voices Summit to strengthen intergenerational collaboration and advocate for young leaders.
“To me, being an adult ally is really about advocacy. I am certainly in rooms that a lot of the students that are here are not in and vice versa, and I think that there is a lot of shared experience or learning that can happen. I'm learning so much from them and hopefully I'm imparting too.”
Lexi Lund
Director of Impact & Inclusion at the Philadelphia 76ers
Meet Wyatt Nako
Wyatt Nako is a college student based in Washington, D.C., originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. On campus, he helps lead dialogue efforts that bring students together across differences.
“Being able to talk to people of different generations has been very eye opening and something that a lot of young people don't get the opportunity to do. When there isn't that weird power dynamic of authority from an older figure, they're just as open, willing to listen, make mistakes and figure it out just as much as young people are.”
Wyatt Nako
Meet Mohammad Mushfiquzzaman
Mohammad Mushfiquzzaman came to the Our Voices Summit from New York City. During one conversation, a fellow attendee spoke about teaching entrepreneurship to formerly incarcerated people reentering society. Mohammad pushed back, sharing what it’s like to live in a neighborhood impacted by violence. What started as a tense moment turned into real understanding.
“We got to know each other… we became great friends. We stayed in touch. This kind of experience shows that even though something started off a little unstable, it turned into a great connection.”
Mohammad Mushfiquzzaman
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join?
Young people ages 14–24 who are curious, open-minded, and interested in having productive conversations across age, beliefs and lived experiences.
What do young people gain by participating?
Practical facilitation skills, confidence leading conversations, and support to turn dialogue into action.
What does participation look like?
The experience is hands-on and collaborative. Before the summit, participants host a small intergenerational conversation in their community. During the summit, they practice facilitation, learn from peers and adult allies, and co-create a conversation guide and action plan. Afterward, they lead a larger community conversation and take next steps.
How can I learn more or get in touch?
Learn more about Youth Advisory Council by emailing YAC@citizensandscholars.org.
Not ready to apply, but interested in learning more?
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