I want the youth of my generation and future generations to be empowered. I want us to speak up when the current education system is out-dated.

Warren, 19, works with Advocates for Youth and the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland as a member of the Ohio Advocates.

I became involved with the youth sexual health and rights movement after researching HIV/AIDS and its disproportionate growth in the youth in communities of color. From my research, I am convinced that it is through comprehensive sex education that these numbers can be significantly reduced and a conversation begun on how to further combat the disease itself.

Ultimately, hope is the driving force behind my motivation in this movement. I hope to become entrenched in educating myself about comprehensive sex education. With this knowledge, I hope to work within communities of color to pinpoint efficient methods for implementing comprehensive sex education. Furthermore, I hope that, one day, the discussion of sexual health and rights will not be taboo in communities of color.

I want the youth of my generation and future generations to be empowered. I want us to speak up when the current education system is out-dated. I want us to engage in constructive discussions to identify the problem with the current system. Finally, I want us to form coalitions to implement new ways to teach about sexual health.

It is important for us to be conscious and advocate for these issues because, in the end, we are the leaders of tomorrow. Historically, it has been us who have pushed for social change and us who are key to implementing such change. No one but us can understand what we face in the education system and no one but us can lead the push for its change.