Youth priorities front and center at Mayoral Candidates Forum

Youth priorities front and center at Mayoral Candidates Forum

Published on September 18, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Mayor's Youth Council (MYC) is hosting a Mayoral Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers. The MYC Mayoral Candidates Forum event is free and open to the public. All attendees are encouraged to register here. Parents, out-of-school time providers, educators, faith-based organizations and business leaders are welcome to attend.

The Mayor's Youth Council is holding the forum to:

• Connect Grand Rapids youth with candidates running for the Office of Mayor
• Lift the importance of youth voice and participation in civic affairs; and
• Engage mayoral candidates in a conversation about their priorities that impact youth.

MYC has curated the event in a Q&A/conversational-style and not as a debate between candidates. It will only allow questions and comments from youth in grades K-12.

Both Mayoral Candidates, David LaGrand and Senita Lenear, will participate. Each are competing for the Grand Rapids Mayoral seat that will be vacated in January by Mayor Rosalynn Bliss due to imposed term limits.

LaGrand is a business owner and attorney who previously worked as a Kent County assistant prosecutor. He served as the state representative for the 75th District from 2015 to 2022. He was a member of the Grand Rapids City Commission from 2007 to 2010, and he also served as a Grand Rapids school board member from 2012 to 2015.

Lenear is a business owner who served two terms on the Grand Rapids City Commission representing the city's Third Ward from 2014 to 2022. She also served more than five years on the Grand Rapids Public School Board, including two years as board president.

"As we know, the vast majority of youth in kindergarten through 12^th grade have yet to reach the legal age to vote, but they still have priorities that need to be heard by decision-makers," said Shannon L. Harris, executive director of Our Community's Children. "This is why the forum will create a brave space in which to honor the voices of youth."

As part of the two-hour event, there will be a meet and greet reception with the candidates before the Q&A begins.

"This is going to be a great opportunity for youth to talk with the mayoral candidates in a space just for them," said Ivan Schury, student moderator and 2023-2024 MYC President. "I hope the candidates take time to present solutions and are influenced by what they hear."

In addition to the Forum, Michigan Afterschool Partnership (MASP) will be in attendance to shine the light on the impact out-of-school (OST) time programs have on boosting the social, emotional and academic development of youth.

"Events like the upcoming mayoral candidates' forum underscores the critical role OST programs play in empowering young people and equipping them for future leadership roles," said Erin Skene-Pratt, executive director for Michigan Afterschool Partnership. "By giving youth a platform to engage in civic life and express their voices, OST programs are empowering youth to be the leaders of tomorrow."

The Mayoral Candidates Forum is in partnership with the of the Grand Rapids City Clerk's Office. Voter registration and election information will be available at the forum. It also will air on Comcast Channel 26 and be live streamed on the City of Grand Rapids Facebook page and YouTube channel.

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ABOUT THE MAYOY'S YOUTH COUNCIL

The Mayor's Youth Council program introduces high school students to the functions of city government and serves as a voice to city official on issues impacting youth. The MYC is managed by Our Community's Children -- a public/private partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools and community partners.

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