Education has often been viewed as an equalizing force. It gives people the ability to climb the socioeconomic ladder and pave a path for a better life. However, opportunities to receive an education of high quality and good worth are not equally available to all. There are massive disparities in resources and quality of education across the country. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling across the country, the circumstances highlighted this inequality, as many schools closed for months and transitioned to virtual learning. This emphasized the differences that exist between students with access to the internet and upscale technologies and those who struggled as they were unable to afford them or be provided with them. In this episode, the team provides a background on the history of educational equity, current problems with school funding, recent events in Pennsylvania, ways to achieve equity in schools, and more.
Hosts: Simir, Gayatri, and Anika
For our first episode of 2023, PA Youth Voices spoke to the incredible Kadida Kenner! Listen in to hear her speak about what sparked her passion for voting rights, the ups and downs of her journey as an activist, the founding and growth of the New Pennsylvania Project, the organization's achievements over the past two election cycles, and her advice for those interested in pursuing a modern career in civic engagement.
Welcome to another exciting episode! We have a special one for you today. Our hosts Gayatri and Laqueenda interview two Black West Point students, Amani Haskins and our very own Sheyla Street, about civic engagement and their experiences at a military academy, especially as part of the MELANATE club. They talk about getting involved in political activism and community service, and how they plan to implement aspects of civic education throughout their time at West Point and in their lives post-graduation!
Follow us on all social media platforms @payouthvote
To find out more information about our initiatives, head to payouthvote.org
In this episode, we (Anika, Gayatri, and Sehaj) discuss how the idea of success may or may not align with the idea of happiness, depending on how you approach accomplishment and growth. In this day and age, we are often taught that success comes in the form of wealth, fame, social status, and respect, but this viewpoint narrows our potential and progress. We define success in the contexts of school, work, family, life benchmarks, and productivity. Tune in to join our conversation and reflect on discovering yourself, navigating expectations, and pushing your limits but being sure to set boundaries for yourself. Be passionate. Be persistent. Be positive. And of course, learn from the journey.
Hello listeners! The recent Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization effectively overturned Roe v Wade. Our youth discuss their viewpoints on this divisive issue, along with the importance of being open to conversation and making your voice heard. Listen, learn, collaborate, and create the change that you want to see in your community. Follow us on social media @payouthvote.
In this episode, we (Gayatri, Sajda, and Zion) analyze the psychology of gossip. Gossiping is something that we are all aware of, and it has both positive and negatives. We deconstruct the importance that rumors, scandal, and provocative stories have in society. Listen in to hear us "spill the tea" on disihing the dirt and how the shock factor of gossip plays a role in all of our lives. Follow us on social media @payouthvote. And make sure to tune in every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month for more episodes!
Hello Listeners! We are back again with another episode! For this episode, our amazing team discussed false diversity - in the corporate world, in media, in books, and in many more aspects of society. We hope you enjoy it and take away something constructive from our conversation. Take time to really listen and understand your perspective. And, as always, thank you for tuning in! Follow us on social media @payouthvote or check out our website at payoutvote.org.
Hello listeners! We have another episode for you all! Today's podcast is on AAPI month. For those who don't know what AAPI month is, it is a month that celebrates Asian American Pacific Islanders. We show respect for Asian American Pacific Islanders for the contributions and sacrifices they have made in making our country and world a better place. Our youth podcasters will teach you about notable figures like Patsy T. Mink, an American attorney and politician from the U.S. state of Hawaii and also the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress; and more! Thank you for listening!
Follow Us on Social Media @payouthvote
We hope that this episode helps you understand the great impact that you can make as a civic participant in the rather near future when you vote in this upcoming election. We hope you are more well informed on the primary elections, especially those for the midterms, and why they are so important. As you now know, not voting means not having your voice heard so make sure that you REGISTER before MAY 2ND. This includes people who are 17 but will be 18 before election day on MAY 18TH. Also, don’t forget to go out and VOTE after doing some research on the candidates and elections we talked about. For more information visit our website payouthvote.org and follow us on instagram @payouthvote for civic education updates.
Welcome Listeners! This episode discusses topics ranging from books, music, and movies. Our incredible host dive deeper into the role in which people of color and other minority communities are portrayed in movies. Their discussion emphasizes the need for movies makers to properly present minority communities in a non-stereotypical manner. In addition, they provide some amazing recommendation for books, music, and movies that have had an impact on their lives. If you are in need to a movie, book, or music playlist, then you definitely need to check out this insightful podcast!
For more information about PA YOUTH VOICES, follow us on social media @payouthvote! THANK YOU!
In this episode, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart provides an illuminating perspective on healing from trauma. Touching on topics ranging from vulnerability, community building, emotional and self-growth, she uses her experiences as a preacher, professor, black woman, and queer individual to explain her approach to emotional reparation and insight on the concept of closure. Tune in to hear a wonderful conversation embodying the idea that although growing is painful, nothing is more painful than staying where you are.
Hello and welcome back to PA Youth Voices! In today's episode, we will discuss the importance of proper school funding coupled with a discussion on the recent school funding trial. Why does it matter? And what do students think about it? Listen in to hear our host for this episode, Derek King from Equally Informed Philly!
This episode involves a discussion about a concept that has been made up to be quite a bit complicated and multi-faceted when really it can be personalized and therefore manageable...productivity! Whether it be school, work, or any other responsibilities, a set of tasks that needs to be completed causes most if not all of us to be faced with the concept of productivity in some way. And often, this can be overwhelming. Two members of our team, Anika and Simir, have an insightful conversation in which they tackle and break down productivity through a multitude of questions, whether that be what their personal definitions of productivity are, whether productivity is an ideal or a state of mind, the difference between being busy and being productive, how to focus on a task at hand, how the pressure to be productive affects us all, how we can collectively and individually redefine productivity to be a more healthy philosophy, and most importantly, ways to be productive without experiencing burn out. Productivity can be considered both our friend and our enemy, so tune in to learn how to reconstruct it!
Listen in to hear our college freshman PA Youth Vote Ambassadors report on their eventful first years and what they have learned.
Welcome Listeners, old and new! This episode touches on some very important aspects about self. From discussions about finding your right fit as a high school student transitioning into college or skipping it and taking an entirely different path that aligns with what truly makes you happy to recognizing the value you hold within yourself. Thank you to our insightful team Gayatri, Simir, and Anika for an amazing conversation! Make sure to share with your friends, family, and any other person you know who would benefit from this incredible youth lead conversation! We are PA YOUTH VOICES!
Check us out on Instagram & Facebook - @payouthvote
We have an exciting and informative episode for you! Our incredibly youth-led team -- Anika, Simir, Gayatri, and Sehaj -- will all provide you with information surrounding the long fight for equal access to voting throughout America's history and the current state of voting rights in today's society. In addition, Simir, a first-time voter and also one of our amazing student leaders, talks about his experience voting for the first time. Be sure to listen, reflect, and share! Thank you!
Check us out on Instagram & Facebook - @payouthvote
This episode is meant to help you feel more informed on the municipal elections, learn how to approach the ballot, and understand why elections (especially local elections) are so important. Using your power at the ballot and making your voice heard is crucial to civically help your community and create positive change. Every election is determined by the people who show up to the polls. Make your voice heard. To quote the late great John Lewis, “the vote is precious and we must use it.” Be sure to go out and VOTE after doing some research on the candidates. The 2021 Pennsylvania Municipal Elections are Tuesday, November 2nd. Polling places will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Use your right. Use your power. Use your vote.
In this episode, we get into who votes, why they vote, and why it's important for more people to vote!
Hosts: Anika, Simir, Gayatri, Tasfia, Sehaj, Sheyla
Editor: Giulia
In this episode, we shed light on the raw experiences of Queer youth as they navigate the world. We discuss the power of community, belonging, gender creativity, and representation, and how all of these factors affect the Queer experience. We are joined by our phenomenal guests, Zayn (she/her), Star (she/her) and Vex (they/them), contributing to this conversation and providing personal experiences that let us see how we can make our spaces more inclusive and communal.
Hosts: Simir and Anika
Editor: Giulia
Tune in to this episode to hear the PA Youth Vote team break down the facts and the fiction about COVID vaccinations! They go into the details of how vaccines work, the types of vaccines, the effects of vaccines, and how to get vaccinated! Do your research and think seriously about getting the vaccine if you have not yet done so (find your nearest vaccination site on vaccines.gov). Please continue to follow masking, hygiene, and social distancing guidelines, and uplift other people to do so as well.
Hosts: Gayatri, Anika, Zion and Sehaj
Editor: Giulia
