Unite. Empower. Inspire.

The idea of a youth platform sprouted during the early months of 2022. This growing youth collective is taking flight after Sioux Falls teen activist Elliott Morehead ignited the fire. As we bring together young passionate activists across the state, we will build a platform for South Dakotan Gen Z to rise up and bring a better future. 

At the moment, SDYA's goal is to organize 10 driven leaders from different backgrounds to become the Director and Founders of this new advocacy non-profit for South Dakota youth. With yesterday’s and today’s issues rooted in the oppression of Black and Brown peoples of America, SDYA wants to center the BIPOC youth activists in its vision of leadership and advocacy. Throughout history (waves of feminism, civil rights movement, reproductive rights advocacy, gay/trans liberation) the white majority and/or the most privileged were repeatedly represented at the top of each movement. In creating this coalition, we must not let the intersections of marginalized identities fall to the outskirts of our activism or allow white voices to overpower the stories, work, and voices of people of color. We won't stop fighting for an equitable world, an equitable South Dakota.