Teenagers in Knoxville who want to increase their engagement with City government and local issues are invited to attend the Empower Knox Youth Summit on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at The Change Center, 203 Harriet Tubman Street. 

Registration is now open for the free event at KnoxvilleTN.gov/EmpowerKnox. 

“Young people are interested in being involved in the issues they feel passionately about and how they affect people in their communities,” says Emily Norris, Youth Engagement Coordinator for the City of Knoxville. “We want to show them ways they can work together to establish priorities and goals and coordinate with others to turn their values into action.” 

Empower Knox, which operates under the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment, is an initiative that connects Knoxville-based youth-serving organizations on a variety of priorities and opportunities, including mentorship, post-secondary education, violence-prevention and mental health. 

During activities led by members of the Mayor’s Youth Council, teen participants will hear from city leaders and elected officials about local government and ways to create community change. 

The Civic Action Summit (2-6 p.m.) will be followed by pizza and skating (6-9 p.m.) 

For more information about Empower Knox and resources for youth-serving organizations in the Knoxville area, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/EmpowerKnox.