NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – Teens from across Deep East Texas met with elected officials Friday to discuss issues that impact their communities.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas hosted its first youth town hall at the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches, spearheaded by member Ja’Brandon Chatman.
The event, held in partnership with the Texas Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, brought teens together with community advocates, educators and elected officials.
The town hall created a space where youth voices were centered and amplified.
Participants engaged directly with local and regional representatives, school leaders and public officials in dialogue focused on civic engagement, leadership and community impact.
Ja’Brandon Chatman, a youth speaker and the event organizer, said rural youth need more attention which prompted him to hold the event in Nacogdoches.
“It’s very important that our rural needs are met and we get very much overshadowed by urban areas and metropolitan clubs, so it’s really important that we amplify our youth in Deep East Texas as much as we can,” Chatman said.
Cassie Tieman was another youth speaker event, who also was the 2026 Youth of the Year for Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas.
She said the event was about empowering young people.
“That’s what we fight for, we fight for youth having voices. And it’s so important that those youth know what it is to have a voice, and how it affects them and their community to have a voice,” Tieman said.
The town hall ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with youth participants meeting with decision-makers and role models.
The event was moderated by Vincent Harding, CEO of the Texas Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs.
Organizers say the event aims to inspire confidence, encourage active participation and strengthen collaboration across Deep East Texas.
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