WESTLAKE, Texas — Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC) and Fidelity Investments hosted the Future Voices of Change Town Hall at the Fidelity Investments Westlake campus this week, bringing together Club teens from Denton and Tarrant counties and regional elected officials for an evening of conversation on leadership, education, civic engagement and the issues shaping North Texas communities.
The event featured Commissioner Manny R. Ramirez of Tarrant County Precinct 4, Denton County Judge Andy Eads and Arlington ISD School Board Trustee Leanne Haynes. They joined a panel of three Club teens and Youth of the Year candidates from Arlington and Fort Worth on stage, addressing an audience of nearly 85 Club teens.
“It’s important to be able to talk to elected officials, because as youth we don’t have as many resources to advocate on higher levels like this,” said teen panelist and 2025 Youth of the Year recipient Ja’Miyah. “I thought tonight went really great. It definitely hit home.”
The elected officials and Club members participated in a moderated discussion that explored academic pressures, mental wellness, civic engagement, community leadership and their visions for the future. The teen panelists shared candid reflections on their experiences in school, their hopes for future careers and the role Boys & Girls Clubs has played in supporting their growth.
Youth of the Year candidate and panelist London emphasized, “It’s important to be able to connect with people in these positions, to teach us, lead us and guide us to the next stage in our lives, as we grow up into changemakers ourselves.”
“We are deeply grateful to Fidelity Investments for opening their campus and creating a space where our teens engaged in a productive conversation about our collective future,” said Daphne Barlow, CEO and president of the BGCGTC. “We also want to thank Commissioner Ramirez, Judge Eads and Trustee Haynes for joining our young people on stage and engaging with them so genuinely. Their presence sent a powerful message — that our community’s leaders believe in these kids and are invested in their future.”
The Town Hall marked the launch of BGCGTC’s Future Voices of Change initiative, designed to strengthen youth leadership by connecting teens with civic partners, industry professionals and community advocates.
