CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:         May 17, 2021

  Action Required:     Report

  Presenter:           Olivia Bowers, Youth Council Member
                       Olivia Burke, UVA Student
                       Kennedy Eagle, UVA Student
                       Sabrina Hendrix, Youth Council Member
                       Caroline Jaffe, Youth Council Member
                       Eve Keesecker, Youth Council Member

  Staff Contacts:      Daniel Fairley, II, Youth Opportunity Coordinator

  Title:               Youth Council Year End Report


Background:

In 2012, Charlottesville Alliance for Black Male Achievement, City Council, and the City
Manager prioritized Black male achievement. The Alliance believes that when we all utilize our
individual talents, and work together as a mighty fist, we can knock out the defeatist attitude of
some, and empower our young men! Charlottesville Alliance for Black Male Achievement is
dedicated to tackling long-standing systemic barriers to Black Male Achievement, so all young
Black men have equal opportunity to lead successful and meaningful lives. The role of the Youth
Opportunity Coordinator is to create equitable access to opportunities within the city and
dismantle systemic barriers to achievement for our young people. The Youth Opportunity
Coordinator also oversees the Youth Council. This group of 12 young people advises Council,
informs the community about issues that affect youth, and makes recommendations on how they
feel Charlottesville can be a better city. Youth who serve on the Council meet monthly, receive
leadership training, are given opportunities to travel to national Youth Council conferences, and
have the chance to make a real difference in our community. Charlottesville City residents
between the ages of 13 and 17: represent the following schools: Charlottesville High School,
Buford Middle School, Tandem Friends School, and St. Anne’s Belfield School.

The attached report includes:
   • Youth Council PowerPoint presentation



Discussion:

In partnership with the UVA Equity Center, Youth Nex Program, and Youth Participatory Action
Lab, the Charlottesville City Youth Council embarked on a yearlong research project to understand
the disparity of students who attended the Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) from 5th-8th Grade
(e.g. Walker Upper Elementary and Buford Middle School) and those who attended private schools
in the area (e.g. St. Anne’s Belfield, Tandem Friends School, Village School, Field School, etc.).
The students were taught the basics of conducting a research project by Students and Faculty the
Youth Participatory Action Lab at UVA. During this time they decided to create a survey for their
peers to ask them about their choices and perceptions of Middle Schools in the Charlottesville
Area. They also conducted and coded interviews with School Board Members, Students, Faculty,
and Staff at CCS about these same perceptions. The results of the project have led to some great
discussions about the inequities that students who do not have the choice to attend private schools
face and what the students have heard would be necessary to keep more students in the CCS
system, especially with a new Middle School on the horizon.


Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan:

The Youth Council supports City Council’s “Community of Mutual Respect” vision. It contributes
to Goal 1: an inclusive community of self-sufficient residents specifically objective 1.1 prepare
students for academic and vocational success and 1.5 intentionally address issues of race and
equity. It also contributes to Goal 5: A well-managed and responsive organization, specifically 5.4
foster effective community engagement.


Community Engagement:

The students surveyed around 75 current and former CCS students in a google form survey. They
also interviewed 2 staff members at Charlottesville High School, 2 School Board Members, and
2 parents of CCS students.


Budgetary Impact:

This report has no budgetary impact


Recommendation:

Staff recommends continued support of Youth Council research.


Alternatives:

N/A


Attachments:

Youth Council PowerPoint