Today, Mayor James announced his appointments to the Youth Commission, The Commission will provide the City’s policymakers with input that reflects the local youth perspective. Additionally, the group will represent Kansas City’s youth in public hearings and will serve in an advisory capacity on issues, not only related to youth, but also on issues that affect our community as a whole.
“Decisions we make today will impact the residents of this City for decades to come,” said Mayor Sly James. “The Youth Commission will help us stay in touch with the pulse of our community’s youth. After all, if they are going to inherit the outcome of our actions, then they should have a voice in our decisionmaking process.”
The Youth Commission will include eight youth who are high school juniors or seniors or who attend an undergraduate institution in the City. Those members are:
Alyssa Boles – University of Missouri – Kansas City
Jacob Carpenter – Park Hill South
Grace Fleming – St. Teresa’s Academy
Nadica Garrett – Home Schooled/Longview Community College
Langston Gray – Rockhurst High School
Kareem Mahmud-Sanders – Hogan Preparatory Academy
Jacob Newstrom – University of Missouri – Kansas City
Queen Wilkes – Southwest High School/Longview Community College
Additionally, the Youth Commission will include five adults who are involved with youth-serving organizations. Those members are:
Scott Cruce – Big Brothers and Big Sisters
Andrea Morales – Mattie Rhodes Center
Damon Daniel – Communities Creating Opportunities
Amanda Meyer – Kansas City YMCA
Jason Williams – Mary L. Kelly Center
The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st at 4 pm on the 10th floor of City Hall. More commissioners may be added as the year progresses.
