2026 Youth Summit

Youth Empowerment: Theories of Change and Storytelling
Jesus Martin Gallegos-Muñoz (Chicano Federation of San Diego County)
Effective organizing requires a clear self-description and self-assessment of how and why change is desired and expected. Participants will build self-awareness through an assessment of their personal values and by tapping into community for positive changemaking.
Meeting Room 2

From Identity to Income: Building Confident Leaders and Earners for Community Impact
TJ Harris (BLAC - Black Leadership Alliance Coalition)
Learn how to overcome self-doubt, build confidence, and develop leadership and professional skills for future success.
Meeting Room 3

Climate Justice & Advocacy 101
Diego Sandoval, Nayeli Corrales (San Diego 350, Youth4Climate)
This session provides an overview of the climate crisis – who is most affected and responsible? What is environmental racism and examples of local frontline communities? How are different neighborhoods affected? What are tangible ways young people can take action and be involved in climate advocacy?
Auditorium A

My Voice, My Power: Youth Identity & Community Impact
Ron Dyste (Reality Changers)
High school students will participate in an interactive activity to help them: explore their identify and lived experiences; understand youth empowerment and voice; and reflect on opportunities for work, leadership, and community engagement.
Patio Tent A

Envisioning Your Future: Using Art to Start Seeing Your Path Forward
Alyssa Abellar (United Way of SD County)
Participants will create a vision board to help ground them in a future they see for themselves, including work, career, education, personal and/or social aspirations!
Grass Tent 2

Advocacy in City Heights
Paloma Cuautenango, Denisse Lopez, Karina Zavala, Gabrielle Gist (Mid-City CAN)
A panel featuring Mid-City CAN youth members from each momentum speaking about advocacy efforts in City Heights. Topics range from park equity and transportation to juvenile justice.
Meeting Room 2

Queer History in Activism: The road so far
Kate Hyatt, Jamie Hau-Riege, Jose Tinoco (The LGBTQ+ Community Center)
A panel featuring Mid-City CAN youth members from each momentum speaking about advocacy efforts in City Heights. Topics range from park equity and transportation to juvenile justice.
Meeting Room 2

Combatting Adultism & Building Solidarity
Carmen Penaloza Valdez, CJ Mendoza, Somaya Fazel (Youth Will)
This session tackles adultism head-on, exploring how young people can effectively navigate and disrupt adult-centered spaces.
Auditorium A

Leading With Love: Becoming the Leader You Need
Kimberly Lara (DETOUR Empowers (FANCY))
A safe and empowering space where girls explore what it means to love themselves and lead with confidence. Through movement, conversation, and a creative activity, participants will reflect on their strengths, build self-awareness, and step into the kind of leader they want to become.
Grass Tent 2

Resume Building & Interview Prep
Tara Ryan (OCYS)
Be prepared to apply for and interview for jobs and internships! Participants will learn tips and resources for creating and updating resumes as well as practice interview skills.
Patio Tent B

From Rumors to Real Talk: Peer Programming to Navigate Adolescent Health
Sarah Vaughan, Mireya Rodriguez (San Ysidro Teen Health Clinic)
Learn how youth programs empower students to be health advocates, and explore how to build a youth-led health education program using social media, outreach, and community partnerships.
Meeting Room 2

Equal Pay: What You Need to Know for Your Future
Kelly Jenkins-Pultz (Commission on the Status of Women & Girls)
Explore the causes of pay inequity, strategies that support economic success, and discuss how young people can advocate for equal pay and workplace justice for all.
Meeting Room 3

Your City, Your Voice
Vinayak Venugopol, Melanie Yau, Layla Al-Khafaji (Youth commissioners)
What is civic engagement? How can you make your voice heard in local government? What is the Youth Commission and how can you get involved?
Auditorium A

Peer to Peer: What to Expect After High School & Beyond
Tessa Garrison, Aera Isabelle Palaganas, Ruth Pineda (OCYS Interns & Alumni)
Join a peer-led discussion about what to expect in college, careers, work, and the transitions of young adulthood.
Grass Tent 1

The Path to Housing Justice: The Lineage of the Modern Housing Crisis in San Diego and the United States
Nicole Lillie (Our Time to Act)
This session will examine how past policies continue to impact communities today and introduce solutions that can help create greater housing justice and equity for the future.
Grass Tent 2

Big Thinking, Bold Impact: A Youth Leader Guide to Impact Statements
Radha Dahanukar (UNICEF USA)
Learn how you can evaluate laws, school policies, and budgets through the lens of children’s health, education, and well-being.
Patio Tent B