Getting Loud with South Kern Sol

FRESNO, Calif.– On June 30th, our sister hub South Kern Sol kicked off their Summer Youth Justice series with a #GetLoud rally and march. To stand in solidarity with them, youth reporters Danyeal Escobar and Aqeela Starks attended their event and documented their time there. As a way to congratulate South Kern Sol for their the conclusion of their very successful series, which took place at the Bakersfield Museum of Art last Thursday, Escobar and Starks put together a collection of their favorite moments at the march.

“During the rally, reporters from South Kern Sol spoke and I learned that there are more people locked up in Kern county than enrolled in Bakersfield College. I was also shocked to find out that Kern county spends more money incarcerating youth than invested in youth. I was really upset to hear this.” -Danyeal Escobar

“The rally took place outside the Mesa Verde Detention Center near Mill Creek, Bakersfield. Here, youth spoke out about the California Endowment’s campaign “Do The Math.” This campaign acknowledges the school to prison cost disparity, where $62,300 is spent to keep an inmate in prison yearly and only $9,100 is spent per student each year.” -Aqeela Starks

“After the rally everyone went on a march to Mill Creek Linear Park. Leading the march was a band playing Spanish music. Following them were four reporters from South Kern Sol holding huge cardboard letters high in the air that spelled VOTA. Everyone else was yelling chants and listening to music as they marched on.” -Danyeal Escobar

“The Kern #GETLOUD Rally and March was a success. Everyone had a great time supporting the cause even though it was about 105° outside. I think everyone there made an impact and I believe we will be the reason more people vote this year. I can’t wait for another day like that one. #VOTA” -Danyeal Escobar

“South Kern Sol’s Summer Justice series was important because it let a lot of people come out and see that youth really care. It was fun to see everyone gather together and let everyone know, ‘you’re not alone, we all care.’” -Aqeela Starks

Aqeela Starks (she/her/hers)

WHO IS SHE? Aqeela Elisha Amani Latrice Starks is 18 years old and graduated from Big Picture high school Class of 2017. She loves spending time writing and drawing. When she’s not doing that she spends hours playing The Sims 3 and 4 and watching Netflix.

DID YOU KNOW? She can’t go a day without coffee, loves sour candy and her favorite color is blue.

FEATURED AREA: Writing, Event Coverage and Instagram.

Danyeal Escobar (she/her/hers)

WHO IS SHE? Danyeal Escobar is 16 years old and a junior at Edison high School. She loves to capture memories through photographs. She's a dreamer of food, a sky enthusiast, a secret princess and the future owner of a red panda (or maybe she'll settle for a cute dog). She plans to continue her passion for writing and photography in college.

DID YOU KNOW? Danyeal hopes to one day write for a major cosmetic or fashion company's blog, like her cousin who inspires her.