By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Powerful Voices (PV) is all about creating space. With an all-woman, non-binary, and gender-expansive staff of color, its mission is to build a place where young girls and gender-expansive youth of color feel empowered to share their truths and step into leadership roles.
Since 1995, PV has created gender-specific, social justice programs for girls and young women ages 11 to 19, equipping them with communal knowledge and opportunities to speak up about the issues that matter to them. Its programs are designed to help young people find their voices, advocate for equity, and develop the confidence to thrive in a changing world.
According to Ziya Joy Ahmed, Communications and Community Engagement Director for Powerful Voices, the organization’s focus is on providing opportunities where young people feel supported and capable of leading.
“Our kind of mission is to create brave spaces with girls and gender-expansive youth of color, to take charge of their own power as leaders,” said Ahmed. “Igniting their abilities to confidently express themselves, build community and act against the injustices facing their lives.”
Ahmed says PV also works alongside other organizations, individuals, and businesses to expand its reach and strengthen its impact.
“PV also resource share and partner with organizations, individuals, and businesses alike to re-frame what it looks like to support and be led by young people,” said Ahmed.
PV’s programs are rooted in art, activism, and advocacy. They often take the form of paid internship-style opportunities that blend leadership training with skill building, cultural identity development, and community engagement.
“The mechanism through which we do this—we have our programs which are mostly paid internship-style programs for our high school youth,” said Ahmed. “Those are built around a cohort of young people, anywhere from 10 to 15 people, who build community, learn skill sets, and develop cultural and identity awareness. All of the programs are at the intersection of arts and activism in some type of way.”
These programs not only teach practical skills but also help participants embrace storytelling and advocacy as tools for empowerment.
“The reason we have all these creative projects, activist projects is to give young people both that skill set that can help them in the future, but also to get them in the practice of telling their story of advocating for the things that are important to them,” said Ahmed.
One of PV’s signature programs is Girlvolution, an annual event centered on multicultural youth unity and self and community care.
“This program will feature creative workshops like zine-making, a showcase of cultural performances, different cultural foods, intergenerational panels, and more,” said Ahmed. “Girlvolution includes an Opportunity Fair with youth vendors, artists, activists, community resources, healing activities, and low-sensory spaces for reflection.”
Ahmed says programs like Girlvolution help prepare young people to be future leaders while giving them immediate opportunities to connect and build confidence.
“If we involve young people in our communities, soon enough they will develop into community leaders advocating for and helping their communities,” said Ahmed.
Representation is another key component of PV’s work. The staff reflects the same demographics as the youth they serve, something Ahmed says helps foster trust and connection.
“What is nice to know about Powerful Voices is our staff also kind of reflects the demographics of the young people we work with,” said Ahmed. “So, we’re fully staffed by non-binary, gender-expansive folks and adults. Really, it’s nice to have that connection. And yeah, I think at the core of PV is being able to create that space with young people and really give them the tools and the space more so than anything to fully inhabit themselves and create and build a world where they can thrive and where all of their communities can thrive.”
