Youth-Led Candidate Forum
Michigan’s Children, in partnership with The Children’s Center, Teen HYPE, ACCESS, 482Forward, and Congress of Communities, is excited to announce an upcoming youth-led Candidate Forum.
The forum will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Joseph Walker Williams Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit, MI 48206.
Featured races include:
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House District 13
- State Senate Districts 1, 2, 3, and 10
- State House Districts 4 and 9
Advocates and community members who reside in these districts are encouraged to attend. This event will be conducted as a nonpartisan candidate forum, not a debate. The sponsoring organizations do not endorse any candidates. Participating candidates will be given equal time to introduce themselves and respond to questions developed and asked by young people from the partnering organizations.
Drawing from their lived experiences and the issues affecting their families and communities, youth participants will ask candidates about topics including early childhood education, K-12 education, mental health, disability rights, and other issues impacting children and families throughout Detroit and surrounding communities.
Early Childhood Candidate Forum Scheduled for July 13 in Grand Rapids
Michigan’s Children, in partnership with First Steps Kent, Early Childhood Investment Corporation, MomsBloom, Vibrant Futures, and Policy Equity Group, is pleased to announce an upcoming candidate forum focused on early childhood issues in West Michigan.
The forum will take place on July 13, 2026, in Grand Rapids and will feature candidates running for:
- Michigan Senate District 29
- Michigan House District 80
This event will be conducted as a nonpartisan candidate forum, not a debate. The sponsoring organizations do not endorse any candidates. Participating candidates will be given equal time to introduce themselves and respond to questions developed by advocates working in the early childhood field.
Discussion topics will focus on issues impacting young children and their families, including access to child care, affordability, program quality, workforce challenges, and the availability of services and supports for families. The forum is intended to provide voters with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their vision for strengthening Michigan’s early childhood system and supporting the well-being of children and families. Advocates, providers, parents, caregivers, and community members interested in early childhood issues are encouraged to attend.