The NYCHA Journal

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Never Too Young to Make a Difference

LaToya

Jewels Marshall: Member, Bronx Community Board 1

Jewels Marshall: Member, Bronx Community Board 1

“If you see something and you have the power to change it, go out and make a difference. Do your best and try to change it; your voice will be heard and it will mean something.”

That’s Jewels Marshall’s advice for other young people seeking to make an impact on their communities. She’s a high school junior and, at 16 years old, the youngest member of her local community board. The Jackson Houses resident was appointed this past summer by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to serve on the Bronx’s Community Board 1, representing the neighborhoods of Mott Haven, Port Morris, and Melrose. 2015 was the first year that 16- and 17-year-olds could join New York City community boards; previously, the minimum age was 18. Ms. Marshall is one of five 16- and 17-year-olds serving in the Bronx, and one of 19 serving on community boards citywide.

“I decided to become a community board member because I wanted to take advantage of the fact that young people can be involved, and because I thought that the youth needed a voice,” Ms. Marshall said. “When I first heard about the opportunity I wasn’t sure about doing it; it seemed like a lot of responsibility. But my mom said that it was something I could do to help the community and make a difference, and I agreed.”

Of her first meeting she said, “It was nice to have my opinion valued; I thought the adults were going to look down at me, but they talked to me like an adult and treated me like a complete equal.”

As a community board member, Ms. Marshall would like to install a new hoop at a local basketball court. She believes there should be a curfew for young people so that they can focus on homework and wake up refreshed for school and also wants to provide more after school activities for her peers.

Ms. Marshall wants to earn a medical degree and become a pediatrician, which unites her interests in helping people and working with children. In addition to her community board work, she helps raise funds for her school and volunteers at a special education elementary school.