Changing Minds with the Boys and Men of Color

Through my photojournalism internship with PolicyLink, I was fortunate enough to travel to Sacramento, California in order to cover the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color's annual Education and Advocacy Days event. Over the course of a week, nearly 300 young leaders gathered to discuss their local issues and initiatives, meet with legislators, rally on the steps of the capital, and partake in a progress hearing. Focused on ending California's willful defiance practice and obtaining access to health care for undocumented Californians, the students made their message heard through research and personal experiences. As assemblyman Steven Bradford commented, "If you’re not moved by the testimonies of these young men, you don’t have a heart, you’re not listening.”

Also, thank you both PolicyLink and the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics for making this internship possible. It was very much appreciated.

Thank you!
Sydney Combs

*This video was created for the Institute of Politics summer internship video contest.