Twenty years of the Youth Empowerment Summit — and a room that proved why it matters

Twenty years ago, the Youth Empowerment Summit started with a simple idea: put young people in a room with the people, resources, and opportunities that are usually scattered across a borough — and let the room do its work.

On May 16, 2026, that idea filled the historic St. George Theatre. More than 1,400 students, educators, families, artists, and partners came together for the 20th Annual Summit — a day of workshops on wellness, careers, financial literacy, AI, and civic engagement, alongside live performances and real conversations about the future.

The moments that stood out

Wu-Tang Clan founding member Method Man addressed a theater full of young people. Performer Cleotrapa brought the room to its feet. Elected officials — including Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Council Members David Carr and Frank Morano — showed up not to speak at students, but to stand with them.

And in one of the day's best traditions, founder Bobby Digi took the stage to thank the student volunteers who made the day run — because at a youth empowerment summit, young people should be running the show.

What's next

Twenty years is a milestone, not a finish line. Planning for the next Summit is already underway, and partners and sponsors who want to be part of it can start the conversation today through our Book Canvas page.

“Let the work speak. Everything else is noise.”