“A lot of people say that the younger generation is the future generation. But the younger generation is actually the NOW generation…We need to get started moving — for our future and our economy and our health and wellness.”
~ Demilade Adebayo
The power of young people to influence positive change in their school and community by expressing their voices and taking action is undeniable. When youth speak up about health and other issues of concern, they express what they see from a unique perspective that is vital to informing public policy, and ultimately, community transformation.
Demilade Adebayo and DeAndre Miles are students at Blandensburg High School in Blandensburg, MD, one of four municipalities in Prince George’s County that make up the Port Towns communities. They are part of the efforts of the Port Towns Community Health Partnership, a coalition of non-profit organizations, schools, businesses and local and state leaders working collaboratively to shape the environment of the Port Towns so that people living in these communities have greater opportunities to live healthy lives.
During a recent visit to Washington DC to attend the 2013 Every Body Walk! Walking Summit, Demilade and DeAndre talked with our Thriving Schools team about the many ways they are working to shape the health and well-being of their school and community.