Post From Community: MKE Youth Civics Summit 2026: Empowering young Milwaukeeans to turn passion into purpose

Editor’s note: Post From Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here. By Marlo Reeves, MKE Roots As young people across Milwaukee navigate the many challenges of 2026, many educators and youth-serving institutions are asking, How are we responding to the moment in ways that empower young people? How are we providing the opportunities for them to step into civic leadership now and as they come of age? On Friday, October 23, 2026, over 100 Milwaukee high school students, local leaders, elected and appointed officials, and community-based organizations will gather at Concordia 27 for the inaugural MKE Youth Civics Summit. Co-hosted by Marquette University’s Center for Urban Research, Teaching Outreach, MKE Roots, and Near West Side Partners, the Summit is designed by and for young people to bridge the gap between youth and local policymaking, grassroot