State of the Youth Voice

Michelle Sims
5 days ago
2 min read

From Unseen to Unstoppable: Hampton Roads Youth Demand to Be Heard

Norfolk, VA — Sept 10, 2025 – We are the youth of Hampton Roads. We are the ones living these realities, holding these dreams, and shaping the future right now. And we’re done waiting. That’s why we’re calling our community to join us at The State of the Youth Voice: Unseen to Unstoppable—a youth-led event where we get to speak for ourselves, in our own voices, about what matters most.

This is our stage, our stories, our solutions.

We’re bringing together teens ages 13–18 from across Hampton Roads to share our lived experiences through spoken word, music, testimony, and presentations that go deep on the issues we face every day: mental health, gun violence, education, justice & equity, plus the future of our environment.

Because we’re not just the “leaders of tomorrow.” We’re leaders right now.

“In just a few short years, they will become voters, policy influencers, and community builders responsible for all of our futures. Their voices matter now!” - Deirdre Love, TWP Founder

Featured Artists

Virginia Youth Poet Laureate & Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate – dropping original pieces that tell our truth and our hopes.
Students Demand Action – Speaking Out on Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention.
TWP Peer Leaders & Move Maker Nominees – lighting up the stage with art, story, and raw testimony
In addition to local voices, a prominent national figure will join the event to support and encourage youth.

Why This Matters

We’re not stopping at performances. We’re creating Table Talks—a space where youth sit down with influencers, policymakers, and community leaders, including Delegates Jackie Hope Glass and Nadarius Clark; Commonwealth Attorney Ramen Fatehi, Dr Cynthia Romero, Director M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community & Global Health, and other distinguished leaders, to co-create solutions. Not just talk, but action.

We’re sharing with our peers the Move Maker Awards and the Adam Haylock Scholarship opportunity, highlighting youth who are already creating change through art, service, and leadership.

Where & When

Location: Chrysler Museum Perry Glass StudioDate: September 10th, 2025Time: 5:30 pm-9:00pmFree & Open to the Public https://givebutter.com/4OwRfb

About TWP - The Youth Movement: Teens With a Purpose (TWP) is a nonprofit organization with 29 years of experience in creative youth development. We are committed to supporting young people's stories, ideas, and dreams, honoring their lived experiences through creative expression, reflection, and action. TWP curates & delivers cultural creative community events, workshops, and curricula; offers year-round school-based and community-based programs at the only dedicated Teen Center in the City of Norfolk, staffed and run by TWP. TWPs' original innovative initiatives are facilitated by trained teen peer leaders and professional adult mentors/teaching & performing artists. The organization is a celebrated leader in: Performance Poetry, Music & music production, Urban Gardening, Place Making, Digital Production, Visual Art, and African Yoga. TWP also offers community violence intervention programs for youth called Safe Passage and Better Choices. www.twpthemovement.org