Chicago Urban League Hosts Students from 17 Chicagoland Schools at “Mind Over Matter” Youth Summit
Nearly 1,100 middle school students from 17 schools across Chicago attended the Chicago Urban League’s 8th Annual Youth Summit, held on April 14, 2026, at the Tinley Park Convention Center. This year’s theme, Mind Over Matter: Empowering Youth Through Smart Decisions, highlighted the importance of making informed choices and prioritizing personal growth. Through a variety of interactive workshops, students engaged in physical activities designed to focus on substance abuse prevention, collaboration, health awareness, and informed choices.
A recap video of the event can be viewed here.
“Empowering young people starts with giving them the tools to make confident, informed decisions about their futures,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “This summit is about showing students that their choices have a real impact and by creating spaces that encourage movement and self-awareness, we’re helping to set them up for success.”
The students participated in morning and afternoon sessions led by skilled professionals in a variety of activities, from STEM to sound-healing workshops.
“Youth Summit is more than just a day of activities. It’s an opportunity for young people to step outside their comfort zones and discover new strengths,” said Nakia Samuels, CUL’s Director of Youth & Family Services. “Each year, we raise the bar to make this experience more dynamic and impactful, and we’re excited to continue creating even more meaningful opportunities for our students in the years ahead.”
This year’s event was sponsored by BP, COX and SAMHSA
Since its inception in 2019, the Youth Summit has grown by more than 1,500 students. Youth Summit is a part of the Chicago Urban League’s Youth and Family Services Center, which serves young people ages 11 to 24. The Center offers programming to help foster positive youth development. Programs, including small group sessions, one-on-one meetings, academic enrichment, career development assistance, and larger gatherings like Youth Summit.
