On May 20, members of Urban Scholars programs from a number of Antelope Valley high schools gathered at the district boardroom to present their Youth Participatory Action Research projects with their peers and district leaders.

The Urban Scholars program was created by the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) out of Inglewood that aims to bring their curriculum into the district schools to empower young men to become positive agents of change in their communities. This year, the young women counterparts of the program were invited to participate in the presentations as well.

“We talk about manhood, we talk about historical context, we talk about how to open it. We lift their voice and show them that they have the ability to make change in their community, and by doing this research project at the end of the year, they get to make recommendations,” said Eastside Urban Scholars Advisor DaJuan Cowan. 

Research projects were determined after students identified an issue on campus or in their community that they believe needs to be addressed. Topics included racism against African Americans and suspension rates, campus environments, food deserts, bathroom cleanliness, and class offerings on basic necessities. 

“I learned that many schools’ bathrooms aren’t like that… We were the only ones that were having that problem,” said Palmdale Junior Meia Gusters. “The biggest problem at the school is the bathrooms, that’s the most [common] thing everybody would say.”

Students went on to research scholarly journals, interview industry professionals, and conduct polls to survey the community to build out their presentations and share their findings at this district event. 

District Representative for Diversity and Inclusion Matt Case was honored during the event for his involvement with uplifting the Urban Scholars and his retirement coming at the end of the school year. 

“More than five years ago when we started and we met in the district office, [Matt has] always been great about communication and helping us out with transportation and lunches,” said National director of Programs for the SJLI Angela Johnson Peters. “[His] contribution has just made such a difference, so we wanted to wish you congratulations on your retirement.”

The culmination of this project and the program as a whole offers students the chance to take charge, learn valuable research skills, and find their voice. For many, this opportunity is an incredible way to prepare for college. 

“I’m the first generation to go to college in my family, and I personally feel like that was not only from Mr. Patterson but from Urban Scholars both, because it prepared me for college and prepared me to learn how to read presentations and being able to talk in front of this many people,” said Antelope Valley Senior Ricky Donaldson. “I don’t think I would have been able to do that without Urban Scholars.”