The inaugural Every Child Thrives Festival convened leaders, activists, and community members to discuss critical issues affecting young people, with a particular focus on mental health and collective action.
Key sessions explored the challenges and solutions surrounding youth mental well-being. A TIME100 Talk featured 17-year-old Sarah Shelke, executive director of the youth-led nonprofit Mind4Youth, alongside Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, and psychologist Lisa Damour. Shelke's organization has established 170 chapters and mobilized over 25,000 volunteers across 71 countries. The discussion delved into fostering healing within communities, with actor and activist Wilson Cruz joining a conversation with producer and host Feldman on the role of creativity and advocacy.
Both Shelke, Black, and Cruz were recognized in TIME’s inaugural Visionaries list for their work supporting young people.
Further programming included a conversation between poets Amanda Gorman and Manuel González on the impact of written and spoken word. Attendees participated in immersive sessions focused on creating healing spaces for youth and strengthening partnerships between families, communities, and schools, with sessions hosted at Build Chicago and the Chicago Public School Office of Family and Community Engagement.
The festival also premiered selections from How We Heal, a filmmaking initiative that shared stories centered on racial healing and shared humanity. The event concluded with performances, including an improvisation workshop led by The Second City, and a tour of the Obama Presidential Center Museum.
Throughout the festival, a central theme emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts for the well-being of every child. Paul Martinez, a leader on the Kellogg Foundation’s executive council, remarked in closing remarks, "When you feed a child, they can better learn. When you educate a child, they can better dream… The future that we are building together is bright, and I have full faith."