For most of the COVID-19 pandemic, youth voices have been left out of the conversation, even by adults who claim to be trauma-informed. I Am MORE has trained and is paying Black youth to lead and facilitate conversations that provide save spaces for marginalized and underrepresented youth around the state to share their needs, fears and wisdom, hopes, faith and joy.

These monthly gatherings, called Talk Back/Talk Black will be organized in partnership with other youth-focused advocates, in order to create podcasts and other creative formats that widen the reach of the youths' voices. Students from around the state are invited to participate in the conversations, as well as suggest topics to discuss. The intended impact is to, first and foremost, create a welcoming and healing space for marginalized youth and to help address their mental, physical and social-emotional needs.