Young Advocates Rising  

Urban Youth in Cincinnati and Louisville Empowered to Be Heard 

by Gerald Bell (Kansas City 2003)

Sitting at tables of influence to advocate for change can be a space where urban youth feel unwelcome or underqualified. Often, such young people look to more experienced adults as a voice for the solutions and change they hope to see in their schools and neighborhoods. Ray Nelson (YFC 2018) doesn’t believe youth should keep silent or wait for someone else to speak for them.  

“I grew up being told children are to be seen and not heard,” Ray tells his young audiences. That notion is in part what has driven him to take his “Community Avengers” training to youth across the nation. Community Avengers is a single-session training to empower youth to create a plan of action to use their voices of advocacy, establish a platform for positive change, and be heard in their communities. 

In April, Community Avengers convened urban youth in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky. Ray helped youth to identify key challenges they were up against in their city and how to confront them effectively. From gun violence and drug trafficking to gang activity and more, youth gained new insight and wisdom on the power they possess to effect change where they live, learn, and play.      

“As youth, we have more power than we think,” one Louisville teen attendee said after completing the training. “We are enough, and we have what it takes to change things within our community.” 

Ray recognizes that urban youth must be seen as assets, not liabilities. Community Avengers is a step toward youth exercising the influential capacity God has given them.  

“We can start a change here,” another Louisville teen attendee asserts. “The spark of our change can be something that starts a change somewhere else.” 

“The spark of our change can be something that starts a change somewhere else.” 

(Photo caption 1: Ray Nelson and Louisville youth.)

DaMarrion Fleming (Louisville 2022) took the lead in coordinating the Community Avengers training in Louisville. He observed how the over 40 young participants bought into what Ray hopes all youth will see in themselves. 

“Our youth left wanting to learn more and wanting to do more,” says DaMarrion. “The engagement was good because Ray is a relatable trainer.”  

The training also introduces conflict resolution, partnering with community stakeholders, and getting other peers on board to support your cause.  

“We use young people to set up tables and chairs but don’t value what God has already put inside them,” Ray argues. “The Christian call to advocacy challenges youth to be image-bearers. Let’s empower them for that call!” 

“The Christian call to advocacy challenges youth to be image-bearers. Let’s empower them for that call!” 

In both cities, attendees requested that Ray return to help them apply what they learned about being a voice of advocacy. DVULI is committed to supporting Community Avengers in the 37 cities where alumni see value in investing this tool in their youth.     

Community Avengers offers three delivery options to be presented in ministry: self-facilitated, virtually facilitated by Ray, or presented with Ray in person. Find all the details at www.dvuli.org/communityavengers