We recently connected with Davonte Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Davonte thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

In 2021, amid the relentless impact of COVID-19 and the heightened racial tensions after the killings of Black individuals like Javon Ousley, George Floyd, and Jim Rogers, we, as radical Black abolitionists, knew we had to act. The Young Voices Action Collective (YVAC) emerged from this necessity—a movement to empower young Black voices to lead the fight for liberation.

YVAC began with the State of The Young (SOTY) initiative, a revolutionary tool to amplify the voices of BIPOC youth and families. We launched listening tours, canvassing efforts, and town halls, diving deep into the lived experiences of our community members. These sessions were radical acts of reclaiming our narrative and asserting our power.

The early days were intense. Each story was a testament to resilience and a rallying cry for liberation. We crafted solutions based on these stories, launching the “My Mental Health Matters” campaign, opening free stores nationwide, and establishing a wellness center in Detroit.

Transitioning from an idea to a movement required harnessing our collective strength. We organized gatherings and conferences, building a network of radical allies. These events mobilized action and solidarity.

Now, we’re bringing our vision to Detroit with the “Voice of Detroit Youth Summit” on August 2-3. This summit is more than an event; it’s a convergence of revolutionary minds, a space to strategize, build, and celebrate our collective power. Black youth are not just the future—they are the present, leading the charge for liberation.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Davonte, a 2023 Skillman Vanguard, devoted abolitionist in practice, son of Yeshua and co-founder of the Young Voices Action Collective (YVAC). I began organizing in high school and founded the Voice of Detroit Youth (VODY), a peer organizing group unfortunately disbanded when I went off to college. My passion deepened after witnessing George Floyd’s death and working with homeless youth in Pennsylvania, where I saw firsthand the false narratives spread about their well-being.

YVAC emerged in 2021 amidst the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial tensions. Our mission is to amplify young voices, particularly from marginalized backgrounds, and provide platforms for advocacy and mutual aid. Through initiatives like the State of The Young (SOTY) project, we gather and amplify BIPOC youth voices through listening tours and town halls.

We’ve launched campaigns like “My Mental Health Matters,” opened free stores nationwide, and established a wellness center in Detroit. Our radical abolitionist approach aims to dismantle and rebuild systems to truly serve our communities.

I’m proud of the resilience and creativity of our youth. YVAC is about coming together to build a future where every young voice is heard and valued. Join us in this journey to listen, act, and stand in solidarity with our communities.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Our reputation within the community and our market has been built on several key factors, with the State of The Young (SOTY) initiative playing a pivotal role:

Authenticity and Commitment: We are deeply committed to our mission of amplifying the voices of BIPOC youth and families through SOTY. This commitment is reflected in our genuine dedication to advocating for social justice and community empowerment.

Direct Engagement: SOTY engages directly with communities through listening tours, town halls, and grassroots efforts. By listening to and amplifying the voices of youth, we build trust and credibility within these communities.

Impactful Initiatives: Initiatives like the “My Mental Health Matters” campaign, free stores across the country, and our wellness center in Detroit address critical community needs identified through SOTY. These initiatives demonstrate our effectiveness in making tangible, positive changes in people’s lives.

Radical Approach: Our radical abolitionist approach sets us apart. We actively work to dismantle oppressive systems and rebuild them in ways that authentically serve our communities, as highlighted by SOTY’s findings and recommendations.

Collaboration and Solidarity: Building partnerships and fostering solidarity with other organizations and activists amplifies our impact and reinforces our commitment to collective liberation. These collaborative efforts showcase our dedication to creating systemic change.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

We initially funded our operations through a grassroots crowdfunding campaign that raised nearly $20,000 in just 3-4 months. Led by young people under 30, supported by community members and allies, the campaign focused on urgent needs like cash assistance and travel stipends. This success highlighted the community’s strong support for our mission to empower BIPOC youth and families, demonstrating the power of grassroots fundraising and collective action in driving immediate change and long-term impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: theyvacfund.org
• Instagram: @yvac365
• Other: booknayo.org/now

Image Credits
Picture 1, 2 & 5 are from The YVAC funds 2023 Leadership retreat in Alabama. Picture 6-8 are picture of The YVAC Fund in action. Giving out food in Homewood for our Freaky Vote Friday event. Restocking our free store inside of east english village. Celebrating the princess we honored at our 2023 Motor City Princess Ball.