By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
The D.C. Teen Summit returned March 13 under Theenie Freeman of the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). On their day off school, teens gathered in Columbia Heights and led discussions on mental health, social justice, creativity and leadership, sharing their perspectives and connecting with peers and adults. The event was open to teens between the ages of 13 and 18.
The event comes amid ongoing concerns about juvenile crime in the District. Though overall crime across the city has dropped 28 percent as of March 17, juvenile incidents remain a top issue.
On March 14, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reported a large group of juveniles gathered disorderly in the Navy Yard. At 6:30 p.m., a small group of youth gathered in the park area between First Street and New Jersey Avenue, and by 8:30 p.m., the group had grown to around 200. Around 9:12 p.m., several suspects assaulted a juvenile victim in the 1200 block of First Street SE, stealing the victim’s shoes and jacket before fleeing on foot.
At approximately 9:47 p.m., someone fired a gun into the air in the park area. National Guard members intervened and stopped the suspect.
After two arrests and the confiscation of two firearms, the group was mostly dispersed around 11 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Against this backdrop, the Teen Summit offered a contrasting view of youth engagement. Hosted in partnership with community organizations, the youth-centered event provided a platform for teens to share perspectives while connecting with peers and trusted adults.
Workshops and breakout sessions explored identity, decision-making, youth rights, creative career pathways, stress management and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities. Resource tables linked participants to local programs, mentors and other support.
Freeman said the summit creates a space where teens feel heard and valued, noting the impact of positive adult influence.
“A caring adult can make the difference when a teen faces a bad decision,” she said. “Ten seconds of madness will change your lifetime, but if you can pick up the phone and speak to someone that you trust, it can change your whole trajectory.”
For many attendees, the summit provided a chance to hear from peers and better understand experiences different from their own.
“I really appreciate that I got to be a part of this opportunity because … I really got to hear other people out and what they were going through because I don’t really necessarily go through what other people go through,” said Laila Thomas, 15.
Thomas, a speaker with Global Kids, said conversations highlighted concerns around trust and relationships with authority.
“I was hearing that teens don’t really trust police or federal guards due to things they see on social media or real-life situations,” she said. “We’ve come together to see how we can change that perspective.”
She also pushed back against broad stereotypes about youth.
“I don’t believe that we are dangerous, I think that some of us are misunderstood by adults,” said Thomas. “They don’t know why certain people act the way they act.”
Other participants emphasized the importance of having safe spaces to express themselves.
“I feel as though this really just gives kids a moment to breathe,” said Hailey Wood, 18. “There are adults that are willing to listen and give time to us as Black children because we need that so we can nurture ourselves and just grow and become better people.”
Wood, part of the Deanwood Radio Broadcasting Youth Journalism program under DPR, said teens sought both connection and emotional support.
“A lot of them came to us trying to find a middle ground where they could truly rest and relax and find comfort and they can also be themselves and emotionally open,” she said. “Top concerns were safety, emotional communication and intelligence.”
She also rejected stereotypes about youth.
“I don’t think [people] expect me to be so articulate and actually care about these issues,” she said. “It’s truly more to me and other kids as well. Despite the stereotypes and stigmas, we really do yearn to have a better community for all of us.”
The summit concluded with a surprise performance by local rapper, Abria “Bri3” Parrish.