This is Why I Feel the Way I Do

On July 22, 2023, Franklin Parish hosted its first-ever Open Mike Youth Summit. The event was organized and hosted by site coordinator Mr. Jamie Johnson, who happens to be my uncle. Mr. Johnson works for the Lasalle Community Association. The event was held in Winnsboro, LA, and there were over 100 youth in attendance. The event's theme was “This is Why I Feel the Way I Do”, purposed to listen to the voices of the youth. There was both a youth panel and an adult panel. I had the honor and opportunity to be a participant in the youth panel. There were topics ranging from mental health, violence, school, home life, etc. This event was near and dear to my heart because I could tell my story, the good and bad, and how I overcame them. I truly hope I was able to touch the hearts and minds of a young person on that day. I applaud my uncle Jamie because this was an event he had been talking about for over a year, and to see it unfold was beyond awesome. If you have a topic in mind you would like for me to write about, please feel free to let me know by emailing [email protected].