HOUSTON – On July 22, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) hosted its second annual Youth Advocacy Town Hall, “America’s Next Chapter: Youth Voices • Civic Leadership • Shared Responsibility,” bringing together Club teens, elected officials, community leaders and supporters to discuss the issues shaping the future of their communities and the nation.
As America commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, this year’s Town Hall celebrated the voices, ideas and leadership of the next generation. The event drew approximately 130 attendees as Boys & Girls Club teens shared their perspectives on issues directly affecting their lives.
BGCGH President and CEO Kevin Hattery welcomed attendees and introduced Steven Metzger, BGCGH board member and president and chief operating officer of Carriage Services, which hosted the event at its corporate headquarters at 3040 Post Oak Blvd. Hattery also introduced two outstanding teen members, Marley G. and Yancy E.
Marley, a member of the KIPP Sharpstown Club, was selected to serve on the inaugural National Youth Advisory Council for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, giving young people a formal platform to help shape programs and services at Clubs across the country.
Yancy, also a member of the KIPP Sharpstown Club, was named BGCGH’s 2026 Regional Youth of the
Photo credit: Henrich Perez
Year and the State of Texas Youth of the Year. She inspired attendees with a message of perseverance, youth leadership and hope for the future. During the event, she was recognized for her accomplishments, including a City of Houston mayoral proclamation declaring May 8, 2026, as “Yancy Miranda Escobar Day in Houston.”
The first part of the program featured a panel discussion with six elected officials and six Boys & Girls Club teen leaders. Together, they explored the opportunities and challenges facing today’s youth through the lens of America’s 250th anniversary. The event was emceed by Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez and Marley G.
The second half of the program featured Youth Solution Labs, where 130 Club members and elected officials participated in four youth-led discussions focused on the issues teens identified as having the greatest impact on their lives: food insecurity, youth homelessness, gun violence and substance abuse.
“We are proud of our second Youth Advocacy Town Hall, where our teens engaged in meaningful conversations with elected officials and shared their perspectives on the most pressing issues facing their communities,” said Hattery. “Boys & Girls Clubs is our nation’s leading youth development organization, providing young people with the support, mentorship and opportunities they need to achieve personal and professional success.”
Elected officials participating in the event included:
- Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage
- Houston City Council Member Amy Peck
- Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo
- Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez
- Houston City Council Member Willie Davis
- State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons
- State Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson
- State Rep. Christina Morales
“It was an honor to serve as co-emcee alongside Marley and witness the passion, intelligence, and leadership of these remarkable young people. The conversations we had weren’t just about today’s challenges, they were about creating solutions for tomorrow. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston is giving young people the confidence, skills, and opportunities to become engaged citizens and future leaders, and that benefits our entire community.” — Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez
The Youth Advocacy Town Hall reflects BGCGH’s ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of leaders by empowering young people to engage in civic dialogue, advocate for meaningful change and help shape stronger communities.
For more information about BGCGH and its programs, visit www.bgcgh.org.
