Youth council reports rising volunteer engagement; students announce Wichita HBCU showcase

Elizabeth Timsaw, youth mayor of the Mayor's Youth Council, presented a progress report to the Wichita City Council highlighting increased engagement: a reported 103% rise in volunteer activity compared with the prior year, eight major volunteer events in the semester and a council-wide project (Wichita Gems Uncovered) that has increased video views from roughly 2,000 to over 11,000 on a recent video.

Timsaw said the council is organized into four issue groups — homelessness, sustainability, freedom & equity, and Wichita history — and asked the council to consider expanding membership so more young people can participate. Council members offered to advertise openings and discussed whether youth seats on district advisory boards might be voting positions.

Separately, Amaya Williams and Alexis Borkas from the Wichita HBCU Collective announced a Wichita HBCU Showcase to be held Jan. 3, 2026 at the Boys & Girls Club (doors 1:30 p.m., program 2–4 p.m.). The event will include alumni and current-student panels and a speed-networking session designed to connect local high-school and middle-school students with historically Black colleges and universities.

Council thanked the youth council for its service and invited further updates in future meetings.