Project Period: 2023-2024
The report series builds on the insights of over 400 girls and gender-expansive young people of color who participated in virtual In Solidarity Conversations (IS Conversations) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These youth-led dialogues offered a platform for participants to speak truthfully about their lived experiences, articulate their needs, and envision actionable solutions to systemic issues.
Between 2023 and 2025, follow-up survey research explored key themes from the conversations, providing deeper insights into the effects of police violence, systemic racism, and the pandemic on their mental health, physical well-being, and emotional resilience. The findings emphasize the urgency of listening to young people’s solutions to these pressing issues.
The series underscores the critical role of young people in shaping systems of safety, healing, and justice. Through their voices, this research highlights the deep harm caused by police violence while presenting clear pathways for community healing and systemic reform.
“Young people of color are not just witnesses to the harms of police violence—they are architects of the solutions. The Power in Our Truths series not only underscores the detrimental effects of police violence on their mental health and sense of safety, but also highlights their clear and actionable solutions. It is our collective responsibility to listen to and act on their calls for change.”
– Dr. Jamelia N. Harris, Senior Director of Collaborative Research and Innovative Thought
Findings Across the Power in Our Truths Report Series
Brief I
Envisioning Futures Free From Police Violence
This report focuses on participants’ perceptions of police violence and their visions for safety. It highlights the clear, actionable solutions young people believe decision-makers should implement to address harm and advance justice and safety in their communities.
Brief II
The Mental Health Impact of Police Brutality Videos
This report examines how exposure to videos of police violence on social media affects participants’ mental health, particularly their feelings of safety and well-being. It also spotlights their coping mechanisms and calls for greater accountability to protect young people.
Brief III
The Impact of COVID-19
This report explores how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted participants’ lives and impacted their physical, emotional, and social well-being. It also identifies the strategies young people used to maintain their well-being and cope during the crisis.
Brief IV
Listening to Girls and Gender-Expansive Young People of Color
The final report elevates participants’ open-ended responses, including what they want decision-makers to know about their experiences, their demands for systemic change, and the social issues most important to them.
Where do Participants Live?
