Today, we join the world in celebrating International Youth Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the energy, creativity, courage, and resilience of young people everywhere. They are the dreamers who envision a better tomorrow, the doers who roll up their sleeves to make it happen, and the change makers who dare to challenge the status quo.For us, this day carries a special heartbeat because in celebrating youth, we also celebrate the rising generation of Black girls and women whose brilliance continues to light up the world.
From the classrooms to the boardrooms, from the streets where voices rise in protest to the labs where innovation thrives, they are proof that no dream is too bold and no ambition is too high.We see you, the young woman in Lagos redefining tech. The young man in Accra leading community change. The girl in Johannesburg starting a business that feeds her neighborhood. The young leaders across the globe who understand that youth is not just a phase of life but a force for transformation.Yet, International Youth Day is also a reminder: the future will not shape itself. It is our collective responsibility as parents, mentors, educators, communities, and nations to create a world where young people can thrive without limits. A world where opportunity is not determined by gender, race, or geography but by passion, purpose, and potential.To every young person reading this: Your voice matters.
Your actions inspire. Your time is now. Keep learning, keep leading, keep shining. Let your dreams take root, and let your legacy be one of courage, compassion, and change.Today and always, we celebrate you, the youth of the world, but especially the unstoppable Black girls and women whose stories we tell, whose journeys we honor, and whose futures we are committed to protecting and empowering.Happy International Youth Day!
