“They have a stake” - PA lawmakers meet with city youth to talk civics, answer questions
The meeting on July 16 was part of Philly BOLT’s six-week summer youth program.
By Nigel Thompson. On Aug 6th, 2026.
Philly BOLT was founded in 2021 and works to empower the city’s youth and residents to be the change in their own communities. Photo: Nigel Thompson/Inti Media.
For Yasmeen Ibrahim, a rising senior at the Academy at Palumbo, being part of Philly BOLT’s summer youth program is two years in the making. Her civics teacher, Mr. McGeehan, tried to get her into the program last summer after her sophomore year, but she had travel plans, so her participation was put off until this summer.
“I’ve always been very hyper-aware about my surroundings, and I’ve always been passionate about my city,” said Ibrahim.
BOLT stands for ‘Build Our Lives Together,’ and was founded in 2021 with an emphasis on empowering both Philadelphia’s youth and residents to be the change agents they want in their communities.
“Our program really centers young people, and we don’t tell them what to think or what to believe. They come with their lived experience and their education,” said Husein.
On July 16, as part of the program’s effort to educate students more about the levels of government, BOLT welcomed three state lawmakers (State Senator Art Haywood, State Representative Andre Carroll, and State Representative-elect Chris Johnson) for a day to discuss their jobs and answer questions from youth about pressing issues in their communities.
Students gather in a classroom to listen and chat with lawmakers as part of the program. Photo: Nigel Thompson/Inti Media.
Jude Husein, deputy executive director of Philly BOLT, said the lived experience of its participants is the benchmark that guides the organization. “We believe lived experience is just the same as a Ph.D,” she said. “Trusting our neighbors to know that what they experience is real, and understanding that they must be a part of the solution is really the core of our programming.”
State Rep-elect Chris Johnson speaks with youth about his job in Harrisburg. Photo: Nigel Thompson/Inti Media.
As part of its six-week summer youth program, high school students practice skills like community organizing and public speaking, and learn some Philadelphia history, from the impacts of redlining to the MOVE bombing.
The students are also responsible for leading their own community action projects guided by a local grassroots leader.
Yasmeen Ibrahim said she didn’t ask any questions, but enjoyed hearing the lawmakers answer queries from her friends about topics like the minimum wage.
Students also asked lawmakers about the impacts of ICE on their communities, efforts to clean the city, and their own journeys into politics. Her vanguard issue in the city is the ongoing lack of cleanliness on SEPTA’s subway system.
“The trains always have a foul smell,” said Ibrahim. She’s already written a letter to her councilmember about solutions she thinks they should consider. They include enacting stricter rules and enforcement around smoking on trains, and hiring more people to clean the train cars.
Youth asked lawmakers about some of the pressing issues in their community and what can be done about them. Photo: Nigel Thompson/Inti Media.
As a Northeast Philly resident who lives near Juniata Park, Ibrahim said her whole experience in BOLT has helped expand not only her knowledge base about her own community, but also the whole city. “I think it’s just so crucial for the youth to just know what’s going on around them,” she said.
That’s even if the topics aren’t ones celebrated by the city. Ibrahim said discussions in the program about the city’s battle with the opioid crisis and gun violence have allowed her to see “the good and bad” of Philadelphia. She, in turn, shares what she learns with her friends and family.
“I find it very important for me, the youth, people in general, to always give knowledge about everything,” she said. “Anything you learn, tell someone. It’s very important to keep that knowledge string.”