U.S. Attorney's Office Partners With Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools To Host Youth Summit For High School Students

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The United States Attorney’s Office partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to host a youth engagement summit for high school students, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.  The one-day summit was co-sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, the Beasley Media Group, and Atrium Health. 

Approximately 200 students selected from Charlotte-Mecklenburg High Schools attended the summit, which was held on the campus of UNCC-Charlotte.  The goal of the summit was to encourage high school students to discuss the culture and climate within their schools, to share their experiences with classmates, and to develop solutions for creating a positive school environment for all students. 

“All students deserve the opportunity to excel within their schools, without the fear of harassment or violence,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Schools need to be safe places, where skillsets are honed, knowledge is expanded, futures are shaped, and today’s dreams become tomorrow’s accomplishments.  Empowering students to proactively address conflict within their schools can foster a more positive school experience, so all students can strive and thrive to be their best.”

During the one-day summit, students discussed their concerns about their school’s current environment, and developed strategies to address social pressures, including bullying.  Over the course of the summit, students participated in student-led discussions, brainstormed on ways to help support their classmates have a positive school experience, and will utilize the information gained today to develop action plans to address the needs of their schools. 

In addition to the interactive workshops, students also heard from Professor Michelle Horton of Wake Forest University and Founder & CEO of YOUniversity; Dr. David Jacobs, Medical Director of Trauma Services for Atrium Health; Reginald Coles, Director of Student Discipline and Behavior Support for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Charles Whitfield, Director of Live Events & Community Outreach at Beasley Media Group in Charlotte; and Lambert Guinn, Assistant United States Attorney, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked UNCC-Charlotte for hosting the summit and giving the students an opportunity to gather, and the Boy Scouts of America, the Beasley Media Group, and Atrium Health for their support of this very important initiative.