03/12/2026
On a beautiful Saturday morning, nearly 100 young people showed up for the 3rd annual Listen Learn Lead Summit.
That should hit.
Sure, 100 teens is a lot. But that is not the story.
The story is why they chose the Summit.
At a time when adults often question youth engagement, attention, and commitment, these students made a different choice. They chose to spend their Saturday having real conversations about leadership, identity, community, and the issues shaping their lives.
They came to lead.
The Listen Learn Lead Summit is built differently. It is designed by youth, led by youth, and grounded in the lived experiences of young people. Students facilitate workshops. They challenge one another. They create space for honest dialogue about what it means to grow up, navigate systems, and shape the future they want to see.
What happens at the Summit is unique.
Something powerful happens when young people are trusted to shape the agenda. They step forward with insight, courage, and responsibility. They ask questions adults sometimes avoid. They push one another to think bigger about their role in their schools, their communities, and their generation.
Nearly 100 students choosing to spend their Saturday at a full-day leadership conference is a signal.
They want opportunity.
They want to grow.
They want to contribute.
Young people are hungry for spaces where their voices matter, where their ideas are taken seriously, and where leadership is something they can practice now.
The Center for Youth and Family Advocacy is Arlington’s youth leadership and civic engagement infrastructure. We do not just host events. We build leaders.
The Listen Learn Lead Summit is one way that happens.
When youth lead, change follows.
Arlington Public Schools Arlington County Board Arlington County Virginia – Government Dr. Francisco Durán Matt de Ferranti Monique Bryant Amanda C Molina Olu Rhodes-Vivour Amy Henderson David Dez Zambrano Toni Andrews Allison Erdle Patrick Phillippi John and Ginger Andelin Jeanne Broyhill Westville Restaurant Group Good Company Doughnuts Laboy Marvin Stewart, Jr. Martye Kendrick Rock Recovery Educational Theatre Company NAMI AARI Edu Futuro Alex Sakes
