Cambridge Youth Programs Trip to Atlanta Inspires Teens' Future Planning

This spring, fifteen Cambridge teens traveled to Atlanta to explore Black history, celebrate Black joy, and discover future opportunities. The trip was part of Cambridge Youth Programs’ (CYP) out-of-state travel program, which invites recognized leaders in CYP’s teen programs on trips to tour Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The trip itineraries center Black culture as a learning tool for young people and create experiences that uplift and empower their future planning.

The teen participants, sophomores and juniors in high school, are active members in CYP teen programming at Youth Centers and considered “CYP Champions,” exhibiting leadership and values of community building, living social justice, growth and transformation, and honoring youth. While visiting Atlanta, teens toured Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University. Teens also visited the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.  

“Being selected felt like an honor because it showed that our hard work was recognized,” said Naomi Teferi, a sophomore at CRLS and participant in the Blooming Into Womanhood Teen Internship. “Visiting Spelman College was one of the most impactful parts of the trip for me because it changed the way I think about my future and college goals. Before this trip, I always imagined myself staying in Boston for college because it felt familiar and comfortable. But after visiting Spelman and learning more about the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Consortium community with Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, I realized how much attending an HBCU could offer beyond just education... Seeing successful Black women in an environment where Black excellence is celebrated every day helped me step outside my comfort zone and think bigger about my future.” 

“This trip taught me to be open minded and be willing to give everything a chance because before touring Morehouse, I was like 'Ew who wants to go to an all boys school,' but after touring it and seeing all they offer... I changed my mind," said Clavon Lawson, a sophomore at CRLS and participant in the Boys II Men teen internship. "This trip also showed me how far Black people came and how much farther we have to go. Most of all, this trip showed me how important the company you bring is.”

“The National Center for Civil and Human Rights deeply impacted me. Its interactive lunch counter simulation completely shifted my perspective,” said Taiya Howard, also a sophomore at CRLS and Blooming Into Womanhood participant. “Sitting there with headphones on, listening to the terrifying sounds of angry voices shouting insults and threatening violence, made history painfully real. It showed me the courage required just to demand basic dignity. While we learn some of this history in school, experiencing the museum made me realize that the freedom we enjoy today was paid for by the resilience of those who came before us. By connecting past struggles to modern day fights for justice worldwide, it proved to me that progress is an ongoing battle and one we must never take for granted.” 

Teens were tasked with creating a vlog or presentation to capture their experience on the trip. They also had opportunities to write a letter to their future self and an op-ed focused on their advice for Cambridge students interested in attending HBCUs. Teens presented their projects at a showcase event in June.