Today we’d like to introduce you to Davonte Johnson. He and Tae team shared their story with us below:
Davonte is a 22-year young child of God, 2023 BME Vanguard and revolutionary. With over 7 years of organizing and movement building experience. Davonte has been instrumental in the fight for education justice in Detroit and beyond. Highly consulted for training, speaking, and youth development. From leading walkouts due to high lead levels in school water to leading 72-hour shifts feeding and housing the homeless during the polar vortex. Davonte has worked independently on local mayoral, congressional, and Presidential elections. He has been consulted by groups like faith and works, BLM Birmingham, the Michigan Children’s law center, and Black Voters Matter. Davonte is a nationally respected speaker. Speaking to congress, unions or at the front door. Davonte has a well-versed background in electoral organizing and securing Democracy. After seeing firsthand the dangerously exploitative behavior institutions displayed when handling youth of color (Non-Profits Organizations and Schools) – Davonte graduated from East English village prep in 2019 and launched his very own Organization, The Young Voices Action Collective or YVAC. YVAC, founded in 2019 as the Alabama student power network, is a black youth-led Restorative Justice and Mutual Aid Network. Fighting along and supporting young people of low-income communities across the country. With a more intentional focus on relationship building, cultural organizing, and mutual aid. YVAC is a cohort of youth organizers and volunteers who consistently engage with young people about community needs, social justice issues, and upcoming elections. YVAC values youth leadership and investing in that through relationship-building and story-telling.The Michigan chapter of YVAC now has a community free store and restorative justice hub inside of East English Village Prep- Davonte’s high school. Now the free store serves nearly 300 a month with delivery and in-store shopping.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In 2021 YVAC released State of the Young (SOTY), a national storytelling tool elevating the stories and experiences of young Black people in Allegheny County, impacted by the harsh effects of poverty and the Dehumanizing school-to-prison pipeline. The young people surveyed reported that “Mental Health, Police, and food insecurity are the biggest issues they face. This is how we figured out what to focus our efforts on and our guide to knowing if our work has an impact. The Michigan chapter of YVAC now has a community free store and restorative justice hub inside of East English Village Prep- Davonte’s high school. Now the free store serves nearly 300 a month with delivery and in-store shopping.
Amidst a continuing global pandemic, civil turmoil, and lack of investment: All across the country, young people are being faced with severe economic disparities— Issues ranging from the lack of affordable housing & displacement from campuses, food insecurity, unemployment, Covid-19, and so much more. Young people should not be forced to navigate these harsh systems alone. Pittsburgh, Detroit, Miami & Huntsville schools rarely have access to feed the entire student body. We’re flooded with testimonies of previously incarcerated youth struggling to re-engage with the economics of society. We’ve heard stories of kids coming home from school unfed. Stories of international students fighting for housing stability on college campuses and placing their visa at jeopardy. Loads of young adults not having access to fair-paying jobs. And students at HBCUs encountering homelessness because of school conditions or lack of long-term housing.
For YVAC-Mi’s first year inside a DPSCD school, we sustained the store from in-kind donations from students, parents, and community partners. With no support from the district, school, or local authorities. YVAC’s youth-led program participants had to navigate the long-standing effects of ageism and racism.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
YVAC is a nationwide organization led by black youth for social change and mutual aid. They engage young people and community members in local elections, urgent challenges(Mutual Aid), violence prevention, trauma healing, and restorative justice all year long. We provide young leaders the skills they need to make their own kind of change- while providing basic needs. This movement is fueled by the dedication and support of young people who are directly affected by the issues YVAC works on..
YVAC is known for their relationships in communities via our free store or mobile distribution initiatives; they may also be known from their cash assistance or support during blackouts. Right now, Davonte and YVAC are raising funds for their “Freedom Transit initiative”. We’re calling for support from our members, allies, partners, and donors. We are in need of a bus (school or coach) to help maintain, amplify, and link the work we are doing in local communities. The estimated cost of the bus and renovations is $25,000. We would be able to expand the work we do and accomplish it more effectively if we had a bus. We feel that this is the next step in expanding our work and creating a long-term difference in the lives of Black and Brown young people all across the country.
THE FREEDOM TRANSIT (FT) will:
“It’s time to beef up capacity and really get to work. Building with as many BIPOC youth as possible before the 2024 election.” Co-Founder and Director, Coach Z.
“This will provide us with everything we need to not only meet and interact with other chapter members, but also expand our work in other areas” -NCAT student and YVAC Member
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
YVACS Staff & MEMBERS – Coach Z, Emily, Saint, Ali, Traevion, Christal & Youth under 26 & Coach Miracle Nored!
YVAC Partners- DAYUM,The Wellness Collective, Building Beyond Barriers, Royal Industries. Detroit Heals Detroit, East Side Mutual Aid Network.
The Skillman Foundation, Resist Foundation
Pricing:
- YVAC is raising 24k for their freedom transit Fund
- Membership to YVAC is $1.00 and 5 hours a month.
Contact Info:
- Website/Phone: www.yavc365.org / 412-229-7496
- Instagram: @YVAC365
- Facebook: Young Voices Action Collective
- Email: Info@yvac-pgh.org, Media@yvac-pgh.org
Image Credits
Young Voices Action Collective
Traveion Black
