Teen Summit RVA to be held Feb. 24 for regional high-schoolers

This year’s Teen Summit RVA will be hosted at the Greater Richmond Convention Center Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by the City of Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

The leadership conference will host ninth through 12th graders from the Richmond area at no cost and provide free transportation to students from Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County Public Schools. Students will have the opportunity to engage in conversations about gun violence, substance abuse, mental health, culture, and equity in their school districts and hear from different industry leaders.

Students can also learn about summer job and internship opportunities at the event’s Inspire Youth @ Work Opportunity Fair, which features regional businesses and organizations.

The Teen RVA Summit was first held last year for a few hundred regional students and featured activities such as art and spoken word along with conversations on topics relevant to teens. The event’s website describes the conference as  “designed to amplify youth voices against violence and address wellness” and says event organizers are “again hopeful to have the support of the community to present a larger, more engaging transformational event for teens in the Richmond region.”

Both the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and Virginia Career Works will again sponsor this year’s event.

This year’s theme for the summit is “I am” and will focus on the power of self-affirmation and positivity.

“In a world where self-doubt can cloud the dreams and aspirations of young minds, the summit aims to be a beacon of light guiding the attendee toward embracing their unique qualities, discovering their potential, and connecting with others to create a positive network,” the Teen RVA Summit website reads.

The conference will host 22 speakers, including Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition Chair Terrell Pollard, and provide students with 16 different workshops and panels:

• “First Gen” panel of first-generation college students who will share their experiences;
• “Dollars N Sense” program on teen financial literacy;
• “I Am Worth It: LGBTQIA+” exercise with conversations on self-love;
• “Build Your Biz Workshop” on business and entrepreneurship skills;
• “Calm Room” with guided practices on mindfulness;
• “The Culture Debates” with student conversations on social media, music, movies, and the impact of pop culture;
• “Influence the Influencers: Substance Abuse” session on peer pressure and substance use;
• “So You Want To Be A…” panel featuring business leaders;
• “Photography Life: An Introduction to Studio Photography” session that explores photography as a form of self-care;
• “Mental Health in the Real World” workshop on mental health concerns;
• “Empowering Teen to Transform Their Communities” panel on making a positive impact in your community;
• “Art and Impact” that explores the impact of public art;
• “Talk To Me: Building Healthy Communication Skills” workshop on conflict resolution and approaching difficult conversations;
• “Telling My Story” session featuring healthcare professional and community organizer Zenobia Bey;
• “Who Am I? Exploring Self Identity” workshop for students to engage in reflection and introspection;
• and “Inspire Youth at Work” vendor fair for students to explore opportunities for employment, volunteering, recreation, and education.

High school students can register for the event at https://teensummitrva.com/register/.