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Growing up in the South Wrigley District in Long Beach, Californians For Justice Youth Leader Camron knew he wanted better for himself and his community.

“It’s a place that I didn’t wanna stay,” said Camron. “It inspired me to try to do my best, even if my peers didn’t believe in me.”

Though he initially came just to kill time during his sophomore year of high school, Camron kept attending CFJ chapter meetings at his school, and eventually core meetings at the Long Beach office, because of the sense of belonging he felt being in community with like-minded students. Being greeted by Megan, a CFJ organizer in Long Beach, made him feel seen and accepted for who he is.

“It was the first time someone really appreciated my time. Usually, I would spend my lunch or after school time not doing anything productive,” said Camron. “I started coming to CFJ more because I started feeling more accepted. I learned a lot about it over time. It was a chance to connect with my company even more.”

Now, as he enters his senior year, Camron has completed CFJ’s Summer Youth Leadership Academy. Through SYLA, Camron has expanded on the communication and leadership skills he needs to advocate for himself and his community.

Camron is especially proud of the community event his SYLA cohort organized in Long Beach, “Community Over Cages: Defund the Pol(ICE).” The event drew dozens of attendees from the community and sparked insightful conversations about police in schools, hyper-surveillance of Black and Brown students, and the school-to-prison pipeline.

The table Camron managed, Flip the Script, offered an interactive true or false game to test participants’ knowledge about local issues pertaining to police in schools and discrimination against Black and Brown students. With his improved communication skills, Camron was able to confidently speak to community members and educate them on the issues affecting local youth.

As Camron enters the next phase of his life, he hopes to help others and show them that a better way is possible through kindness and community organizing.

“I just wanna show that you can be kind around our community,” said Camron. “I hope to bring all the friends I know that are having a tough time, who have hatred, envy, or rage in their hearts, bring them off their path and enlighten them, and share some of my knowledge with them so they can positively form their own lives. We need each other.”