It’s September, and a cool breeze fills each morning as children head to school. With Labor Day behind us, summer feels officially – if unofficially – over. For the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations’ (PCHR) Youth Ambassador Program it marks the close of another successful season and the beginning of a lasting impact.

This summer, eight Philadelphia youth ages 16-20 came together weekly at the Curtis Building to explore the city’s civil rights history, receive media training, and learn strategies to combat hate and bias. Through a continued partnership with Temple University’s Youth Conflict Specialist (YCS) program, we built a foundation in conflict resolution, while PhillyCAM guided them in producing podcasts on employment discrimination and gun violence and the power of conflict resolution.

With a Justice Department grant awarded to YCS, the program’s future can shine brightly through at least 2027.

Alongside training, the Ambassadors also gained inspiration from local leaders, embarking on a journey of self-discovery with their media training, including a day of content creation with 2024 Social Justice Award winner and Philly Black Pride President Jacen Bowman, and up-and-coming content creator Denaya Adams. Together, they inspired the Ambassadors to discover their own voices.

The closing ceremony brought family and friends together for a viewing of the students’ podcasts and the presentation of completion certificates. But most importantly, the experience has equipped these young leaders to share their knowledge and spark change among their peers and communities.

As Ambassador Jaala Meade reflected, “I gained knowledge and friendships. There was so much that I didn’t know, and [I] was grateful for the experience and the people that came [to speak with us].” Fellow Ambassador, Keion Wall added, “At the start, I was pretty iffy, but as the activities began, it wasn’t that bad. In the end, it was fun. I was glad to be there.”

Together, these Ambassadors leave summer not just with memories, but with tools to shape Philadelphia’s future – one conversation, one mediation, one act of leadership at a time.

Visit here to view photos from the 2025 Youth Ambassador Program.

View the Employment Discrimination podcast

View the Gun Violence podcast