Dozens of young people took the stage at this year's Juneteenth Street Festival to share their own poetry, personal stories, song, and dance. But one issue in particular stood out.
Nearly every teenager called for an end to violence in the inner city.
Community group Safe and Sound parnered with the Boys and Girls Club and the Parklawn YMCA to present the Youth Voice Stage. In addition to spreading awareness about the history of Juneteenth, the stage also gave the youth a change to "have their voices heard," according to Norma Balentine, Safe and Sound youth programs director.
Click the podcast player to hear from two young people, as well as Balentine. Click the "next" button to another young man who performed, an aspiring rapper.