The Bridge From School to Afterschool and Back is a two-day conference held in the heart of downtown Seattle. Bridge brings together afterschool and youth development (AYD) professionals, school leaders (e.g. superintendents, principals and classroom teachers), funders, researchers, policymakers, trainers/coaches and business leaders from across the country. The Conference focuses on research, cutting-edge resources and strategies relevant to strengthening the services that youth (in grades K-12) receive both in and out of school. In our tenth annual Bridge Conference we focus on: Empower Youth Voices.
EMPOWER YOUTH VOICES: With limited time and resources, it is challenging to step back, truly listen to the voices of the youth we serve and give the authentic opportunities to lead. But when education and community leaders come together around the shared goal of youth empowerment, we can shift the culture to uplift youth as leaders. It is critical that we talk with young people about their interests, what they know and how they know it. We look forward to exploring the conditions that truly foster learning and leadership, both in and out of school, in grades K-12.
Keynote Speakers Announced
- Mr. Jakada Imani, Executive Director, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, addressing the voices of incarcerated youth and the inequalities in the justice system.
- A live episode of “Please Speak Freely” hosted by Eric Gurna, Executive Director, Development Without Limits.







