Social justice group formed by Grafton High students

Two Grafton High School students are organizing a social justice group for area youths.

A July 25 event drew about 30 vehicles to Kapco Metal Stamping’s parking lot for a discussion on systemic racism, which was coordinated by incoming seniors Nathan Baker and Natalie Peters, who are organizers of Ozaukee Youth United. 

“In late June, we started planning when the protests were going on, and we wanted to keep the momentum going so people wouldn’t forget,” Peters said. 

The event featured Erica Turner, executive director of Bridge the Divide; Teon Austin, assistant dean of students for Diversity Initiatives at Cardinal Stritch University; and Milwaukee activist Tory Lowe. The event was moderated by Executive Director of Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee Pardeep Singh Kaleka.

“We were very fortunate to have these speakers attend our first event, and they gave some very powerful statements about systemic racism in suburban communities from a legislative perspective,” Baker said, noting Ozaukee County Supr. Janette Braverman was scheduled to speak but was unable to attend. 

Peters said the group was formed while organizing the event and has a handful of members from Grafton and Cedarburg high schools. The group is not affiliated with either school. 

The organizers want to use their group as a platform to take up other causes such as environmental and LGBTQ issues.

“We want to create a voice for people our age to talk about a spectrum of issues that are important to us,” Peters said.

“We really want to grow this group so more of us can be heard.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, the group will host another discussion on systemic racism from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Creek Park in Cedarburg.