As we look back on celebrating Black History Month, it’s important to take time to reflect and honor the individuals whose work has made this moment possible. One of those individuals was Dr. Martin Luther King. And on January 19, 2026, communities around the world celebrated a day honoring his legacy and the work of many civil rights leaders.
This year, Insight Advocacy– a local organization focused on bringing greater diversity visibility to the North Shore of Chicago– partnered with Wayfarer Theatre to offer a free community event that featured youth speakers, a screening, and a keynote speaker. This year’s theme on Youth Health Advocacy emphasized the importance of young people and their willingness to advocate for themselves throughout different healthcare environments.
Within this event, I was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to deliver a speech as a keynote speaker. Here, I spoke of finding your inner voice, and that in order for one to have true independence, one’s voice must also be strong. As teenagers, it can be challenging to learn how to advocate for ourselves. We are trained to allow our parents and guardians to speak up on our behalf, but as we mature, it’s essential that we form our own, unique perspectives.
Ciree Harris, another youth speaker and emcee of the program, shared her perspective on the central theme and how she believes youth health advocacy aligns with Dr. King’s legacy.
“It highlighted Dr. King’s message that injustice within health is the most ‘inhumane’ and must be addressed within our society,” Harris said.
Janea Harris, founder of Insight Advocacy, also spoke about what she wanted participants to carry away from the event.
“One of the best things any of us can do for our children is to empower them to use their voice,” Harris said. “As Dr. King so eloquently said, ‘Silence is not an option.’ This applies to health, education, and any situation that impacts their lives and well-being.”
This event serves as an important reminder of the importance of our voice and how it can change our world. Black History Month requires us all to celebrate the work of those who fought before us, but to also continue that work with our voices in every area of our lives. In the words of Dr. King, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” And in this community, our health, our stories, our experiences, and our truth matter.