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Jacob Jackson, a senior at Jennings Senior High School and president of Gentleman of Vision, shares how the mentoring program shaped his values of brotherhood, manhood, and discipline through stepping. Deeply committed to community involvement and education, Jacob draws inspiration from the Know Your Rights Camp’s mission to empower Black communities. This is influenced by role models like KYRC co-founder @Kaepernick7—whose stand for social justice cost him his NFL career. Un

At the Know Your Rights camp in St. Louis, licensed professional counselor Etoya R. White led a session that bridged mental and physical health in practical, accessible ways. He engaged young audiences through humor and relatable examples, making wellness feel approachable rather than abstract. White highlighted how sessions like these help fill important gaps in education, empowerment, and access to resources—areas where many communities often go underserved. Closing his tal

In this thought-provoking conversation, Ellis, an eighth grader, and Lydia Lockhart, a seventh grader, share their unique insights and future aspirations. Ellis highlights the rich cultural history of braids in African heritage and reflects on the powerful act of taking a knee, inspired by KYRC co-founder @kaepernick7's fight against oppression. He speaks on the value of education and reading, especially within the African American community. Lydia, full of ambition, dreams o

Cbabi Bayoc and Brandan “Bmike” Odums, celebrated visual artists, led an inspiring art and activism session at Know Your Rights Camp in St. Louis. Bayoc shared his murals and series, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the creators behind powerful visuals. Odums spoke on imagination as a tool for activism, urging participants to envision and build the futures they want. Both highlighted art’s collaborative role in social movements, complementing actions like marches and

Lacienne De Joie, an 18-year-old student from Parkway West High School and St. Louis Community College, is determined to uplift her community. After learning about Missouri’s delayed educational system for Black people at a camp, Lacienne became more motivated to make a difference. A visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture inspired her vision to transform St. Louis. She plans to launch community initiatives to clean neighborhoods, replace liquor s

Charli Cooksey, founder and CEO of We Power, delivers an urgent call to protect public education. She warns of efforts to dismantle schools and emphasizes that young people must rise through advocacy, organizing, and civil disobedience. For Cooksey, this fight is personal—rooted in her connections with students and their dreams. She stresses that truth, not propaganda, should guide political decisions and highlights the danger of misinformation spreading online. By urging com

Mykail James, widely known as the Bougie Budgeter, led a financial education session at the St. Louis Know Your Rights Camp, stressing that money is deeply political and financial defense is essential. She introduced both new and familiar concepts, sparking conversations about budgeting, entrepreneurship, and homeownership that reflected the youth’s eagerness to learn. James highlighted the systemic barriers marginalized communities face and reminded participants that financi

Our co-founder @Kaepernick7 reflected on the Know Your Rights Camp’s 14th event in St. Louis, honoring its deep impact on the community. He spoke to the camp’s mission of equipping young people with the tools to navigate today’s shifting digital and political landscape. For Colin, true empowerment is about making youth feel seen, heard, and capable of shaping their futures. The heart of the camp’s success lies in inspiring self-determination and preparing the next generation

For many Black public servants, the Trump administration’s dismissal of key Black officials has felt like a targeted effort to erase hard-won representation within the highest levels of government. Robert E. Primus, who led the Surface Transportation Board, discovered he had been fired through an abrupt email, not a conversation. “I didn’t see it coming at all,” he said, later reflecting that maybe the administration believed “this job was not intended for Blacks.” His firing

The conviction of former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson for the killing of 36-year-old Sonya Massey represents a crucial moment of accountability that many see as long overdue. On October 29, a Peoria jury found Grayson guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Massey, an unarmed Black woman who had called police for help during a mental health crisis. “Accountability has begun,” said attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, calling the verdict “a measure of

At the California Institution for Women, a new chapter of hope unfolded as nearly two dozen incarcerated women walked the stage to receive their Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies through Cal State LA’s Prison Graduation Initiative—the program’s first-ever graduation ceremony. For the women, this moment was more than an academic milestone; it was a symbol of transformation and redemption. “It’s a reminder that I’m still supported and that they are still very present in my li

For millions of working-class Americans — especially poor families and people of color — the steady rise in employer-based health insurance costs threatens to deepen inequality in access to care. Experts warn that, much like Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, employer-sponsored coverage is becoming more expensive. “Last year, health insurance premiums went up. This year, they went up. And next year, they’ll go up,” said Dr. Kevin Schulman of Stanford University. Even if monthly