OTS L7 - Civic Belonging & Closing Spaces

What does it really mean for young people to belong in civic spaces?

In this episode of Off The Syllabus, Dev and Ms. Kam explore civic engagement through the lens of identity, history, and lived experience. This conversation challenges the idea that civic participation begins and ends with voting and instead reframes it as an ongoing practice of agency, advocacy, and community leadership.

Drawing from real experiences, including Ms. Kam’s journey running for and winning a school board seat by just nine votes, this episode highlights the power of local politics and the importance of representation in decision-making spaces.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why civic engagement is more than voting

• The historical barriers Black communities have faced in accessing civic power

• How young people develop agency through exposure and opportunity

• What it takes to run for local office and navigate political systems

• The realities of power, politics, and decision-making behind the scenes

• Why representation matters in schools, districts, and communities

• How youth respond when they see advocacy modeled in real time

This conversation also unpacks the challenges of working within systems that were not designed for equity, and the importance of knowing when to disrupt from within versus outside.

At its core, this episode is about access, awareness, and action. When young people understand how systems work and see themselves reflected in leadership, they are more likely to engage, lead, and create change.

If you care about youth voice, civic education, or community leadership, this episode is for you.

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