The following interview is with Kristi Matthews-Jones, Director at DC Girls’ Coalition

DC Girls’ Coalition (DCGC) works to elevate and amplify the voices of young women, girls, femmes, non-conforming, and young women/girls of color of trans experience in the District of Columbia. DCGC, comprised of  youth-serving and advocacy organizations, adopts and fights to implement policy recommendations that centers their leadership and addresses their needs. 

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your organization?

Kristi: I have been working in DC on advocacy and organizing since 2006. I have worked with several communities in DC, including people who are homeless, youth, returning citizens, retail workers, and immigrants. DCGC is a coalition of youth-serving organizations managed by a Youth Advisory Board made up of young girls of color, young transgender girls of color, and gender non-conforming youth of color. We work on multiple campaigns in DC. Our campaigns focus on increasing youth agency with education, healthcare, housing, improving mandatory reporting, Police Free Schools, and creating a youth-centered complaint process. We also have a long list of demands from our Youth Taskforce that focuses on increasing social and emotional support for youth, improving school environment, and addressing the root causes of youth violence. Our coalition is run by our YAB and the youth in our network. They make all the final decisions for the coalition. The foundation of our work is that young girls of color, transgender girls of color, and gender non-conforming people have the final say in our work because they are who we were created to serve and uplift.

What inspired you to pursue your organization’s work, and what continues to motivate you in your work today?

Kristi: I have always been a strong advocate for young people. In college, I ran an afterschool and summer program for refugee children and youth in Greensboro, NC. I also served as one of the first Lead instructors for the Black Swan Academy. Since I was young, youth, particularly those of color, have a deep connection with their communities and hold the solutions to issues impacting us within their minds and experiences. I felt drawn to this work and this organization because it combined all my passions. My passion is working with youth, building coalitions, and dismantling racism. What continues to motivate me is our Youth Advisory Board. Our current and former members are very strong advocates who have pushed me to do more, be more, and work harder.

Read the full article about advocating for young women and girls at Washington Area Women's Foundation.