“We are really grateful to work with the Opportunity Fund. We want to fulfill the needs of young people, from big to small,” said Kahlil Darden, CEO and co-founder of Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens. “With the Opportunity Fund, they’ve provided us their operating support for all the things that we want to do to support our community.”

“It is absolutely essentially for us to think about organizing right where you are in your school and to have a conversation with like-minded people about what is happening in our schools to see what we can do here to help young people in our schools,” Alexander told the audience. “That requires the act of courage to speak the truth about their own experiences, what they witness, [and] how they themselves have been complicit, asking ‘Have I been thinking about my classroom in a way I’m not proud of?” said Alexander. Other featured panels included the unique perspectives from three men who were sentenced to life in prison as youth—but have since been released from prison. There was also a student panel, led by high school student activist Kahlil Darden, creator of Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens (YBMKQ)

Friday’s East Pittsburgh action was organized by entertainment company ROC Nation, community organization Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens [YBMKQ], 1Hood Media and Rose’s mother, Michelle Kenney. At the event, Kenney announced the creation of the Antwon Rose II Foundation to “help underprivileged kids do some of the things that Antwon was able to do,” like travel and play sports.

Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens (YBMKQ): $50,000*: YBMKQ is a community- based, youth-led organization engaging middle and high school-aged youth in becoming the leaders of tomorrow while serving the community. YBMKQ has refocused its energies on hosting events for young people to use their voices to fight for the change they want to see within their generation and has organized large youth protests and back-to-school drives.