Rebuilding Altadena with youth at the heart | Nanyamka Redmond | TEDxAltadena

Key Concepts

• Youth Voice and Agency: The central theme emphasizing the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes, particularly in community rebuilding efforts.
• Co-design and Co-creation: The idea of young people actively participating in designing and shaping recovery plans and community spaces.
• Reclaiming Voice and Power: Beyond physical spaces, the concept of empowering young people to have a significant say in matters that affect them.
• Youth as "The Now": Shifting the perspective from viewing youth solely as future leaders to recognizing their immediate relevance and contributions.
• Restoring Identity and Belonging: Highlighting how youth-led initiatives can help individuals, especially young people, regain their sense of self and connection.

The Impact of the "Eaten Fire" on Altadena

The transcript begins by painting a vivid picture of Altadena before a significant event, referred to as the "eaten fire." The familiar sounds of children playing, parrots at dawn, and the presence of mountains holding stories are described. However, the fire has drastically altered this landscape, leading to a noticeable silence and a heavier atmosphere. The community is described as hurting and overwhelmed by the immense task of rebuilding homes, parks, routines, and their sense of normalcy.

The Missing Voice in Rebuilding Efforts

During the community's rebuilding process, a significant observation is made: a silence in meetings and committees, indicating the absence of a crucial voice – that of young people. The speaker critiques the common practice of discussing youth as future leaders while excluding them from present decision-making. The core argument is presented: "young people are not the future. They're the now." Their ideas, creativity, and urgency are deemed essential for imagining and rebuilding a thriving Altadena.

Reclaiming Voice and Power for Youth

The concept of "reclaiming" is expanded beyond land or memory to include the vital reclamation of voice and power, especially for young people. The speaker, drawing from their experience as a youth development researcher and former high school teacher/coach, shares a personal anecdote.

Example: Track Practice Leadership At track practice, a student athlete suggested that allowing them to lead warm-ups would significantly improve the sessions. This wasn't a request for mere participation but for contribution and leadership. Upon granting this autonomy, the speaker observed positive outcomes: practices ran smoother, team spirit increased, and the athletes took ownership of their experience. This is presented as a tangible demonstration of the "power of youth voice."

The speaker emphasizes that the goal is not simply to "give them a seat at the table," but to recognize that "the table was never meant to be built without them."

Aladena Girls: A Case Study in Youth-Led Recovery

The transcript highlights a real-world example of youth leadership in Altadena: Avery Culver and her initiative, "Aladena Girls."

Case Study: Aladena Girls Following the fire, Avery noticed that while adults were receiving assistance for essential needs (houseware, clothing, shelter), the specific needs of young people, particularly young girls, were being overlooked. To address this, she founded Aladena Girls, a pop-up shop providing clothes, beauty supplies, and journals to girls who had lost everything. These items, though seemingly small, helped them "feel like themselves again."

What began as a few bins of donations evolved into a movement. Avery and her friends successfully raised funds, established global partnerships, and created a community space led by young people for young girls. This space was filled with art, music, mentorship, and a sense of belonging.

Key Takeaway from Aladena Girls: Rebuilding is not solely about physical structures but also about restoring identity, confidence, and connection. This initiative serves as proof that when youth are allowed to lead, they not only rebuild what was lost but also "imagine what's possible."

Envisioning a Co-Designed Recovery for Altadena

The speaker proposes a transformative vision for Altadena: a place that actively welcomes young people to "co-design our recovery." This involvement should be deeply embedded alongside high-ranking officials, not an afterthought.

Proposed Scenarios for Youth Co-Design:

• Deferring to Youth: Prioritizing their perspectives on what matters to them and what impacts them both currently and in the future.
• Youth Artists: Creating murals that visually represent both the recovery process and the experience of loss.
• Student-Imagined Schools: Students envisioning the future design and potential of their educational institutions.
• Youth-Designed Community Spaces: Young people designing public spaces, such as the library, to reflect their perception of community aesthetics and feel.

The Benefits of Youth Ownership in Rebuilding

When young people take ownership, the outcomes extend beyond mere reconstruction. The transcript argues that this leads to:

• Stronger Structures: Physical rebuilding is enhanced.
• Stronger Bonds: Interpersonal connections and community cohesion are strengthened.
• Empathy over Efficiency: Youth insights push the community to prioritize empathy, moving beyond purely functional considerations.
• Belonging Beyond Bricks and Mortar: The understanding that true community is more than just physical infrastructure.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The summary concludes by reframing recovery not just as piecing things back together, but as actively shaping a future worth living. The actionable advice is simple yet profound: "start by asking a young person, 'What would you change?' And listen, let them lead."

The ultimate vision is that by rebuilding Altadena with youth at its center, the community will not only recover from the fires but will also "light a future worth running towards" – a future described as vibrant, inclusive, and alive with possibilities. The transcript ends with applause, signifying strong agreement with this empowering message.