On: October 29 at 07:57 AM
Above, from left to right, Teak Underdue, Christina Torres, Jessica Murillo and Ariel Zambelich.
Don’t think there’s enough going on for young people in San Joaquin County?
Then step up and do something about it.
That was what a panel of local musicians and artists told dozens of young people Oct. 26 at the LULAC youth leadership conference at San Joaquin Delta College. The panel was organized by 209Vibe and included myself, Mike Torres Band percussionist Christina Torres, music and Record photographer Ariel Zambelich and Jessica Murillo, a University of the Pacific senior and street team member who has worked on the Mission Creek Music Festival in San Francisco.
Titled “San Joaquin County hotspots,” the panel also featured Teak Underdue, a Stockton music producer who has worked with Ice Cube, Mistah F.A.B. and Yukmouth, among others.
While all-ages music venues like the Blackwater Café, Stockton Empire Theatre and 180 Teen Center were discussed, panel members also told young people that there are too few places for them to hang out in the area. Some of “hotspots” also remain unknown to teens.
Only a handful of conference attendees said they had heard of the city of Stockton’s $3.6 million Podesto IMPACT Teen Center, which has struggled to attract members. Several young people at the conference also weren’t aware of the Stockton Thunder professional hockey team or the Stockton Lightning arenafootball2 team, both of which play at the Stockton Arena.
But the panel also told conference attendees that they had the power to do something about the lack of local teen hotspots and change the community. They said young people had the right to express their concerns about the area at government meetings.
Panel members added that if they stay focused on their goals, young people can work to overcome the challenges to improve their lives. Each panelist discussed challenges they faced growing up and how they achieved success.
