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BOSTON \u2014 Jay\u2019dha Bell Rackard has a passion for dance, medicine, and social justice.<\/p>\n
She was just 11 years old when she spoke in front of a crowd of thousands at the Black Lives Matter Peaceful Children\u2019s March in June of 2020. She opened with an MLK quote about equality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has not been equality for a while, whether it\u2019s for women or African Americans. Just equality in general,\u201d Jay\u2019dha said.<\/p>\n
But it wasn\u2019t the first time she\u2019s helped lead a protest. As a student at Orchard Park Elementary school, she spoke about the deplorable conditions on the school grounds. These conditions included kids finding and sometimes getting stuck with needles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was kind of impressive. I didn\u2019t think as many people would come out to support the cause. Especially me doing it as a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now 13 years old, she recently won a $20,000 grant to fund a COVID self-care workshop for girls ages 10-14.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to have self-care for yourself to go out and do other things if that makes sense,\u201d Jay\u2019dha said.<\/p>\n
[What do you see as the biggest issue that young people are facing right now, especially young people of color?]<\/p>\n
\u201cNot being listened to at all. A lot of kids don\u2019t speak up about what they want to do r who they want to be because they do not listen to enough,\u201d Jay\u2019dha said.<\/p>\n
Published in local and national publications, Jay\u2019dha\u2019s message to other kids is never to let anyone tell you what you\u2019re fighting for is not important.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you feel like you don\u2019t have a voice and are not being listened to, still speak up about it. Cause you never know what can go on,\u201d Jay\u2019dha said.<\/p>\n
\u00a92022 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n<\/div>\n