Da’Layjah Washington Shows What’s Possible When Young People Lead

Every month at Lion Creek Crossings (LCC) in East Oakland, markers and chart paper in hand, a group of young people ages 13-21 gather to discuss a book they’ve just read. The book club was founded by 16-year-old Da’Layjah Washington, a youth leader who calls the affordable housing community in Coliseum Gardens home.

During the meetings, book club members take notes and share their reflections to post on the wall. They talk, laugh, and debate over dinner and dessert. They grapple with difficult issues and conversations, like they did when reading The 57 Bus. The book follows the true story of a white agender teen assaulted by a young Black teen on an Oakland bus, detailing the race and gender complexities of the incident and questioning whether the criminal justice system is able to support real justice and healing. The teens in the book club considered these complexities during their discussion—it’s why they chose the book.

The LCC book club celebrated its one-year anniversary this past May and selects a different young adult (YA) title each month. The teens even attended a book signing for The Hate You Give, where the group met best-selling YA author Angie Thomas.

Da’Layjah has been an active youth leader at Lion Creek Crossings since she was a girl. Lion Creek Crossings is an affordable housing community developed by East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) with the participation of local residents.

Da’Layjah wanted to create a place for teens to come together to share ideas and experiences and read stories about Black and brown youth. She collaborated with Lion Creek Crossings’ Teen Coordinator for guidance and support. To draw young people to the initial book club meeting, she created and distributed a flyer, visiting over 400 residents and teens to talk about why the community needed this space.

The book club wasn’t the first time Da’Layjah took the lead to make her community better. She’s been volunteering in and around the community since she was a little girl. She has completed the Lion’s Pride Roaring Forward Teen Program, spending 100 hours of volunteer time as a classroom assistant, mentor, and leader for youth.

Last year, Da’Layjah represented EBALDC and the Lion’s Pride Program at Oakland City Hall and wasn’t afraid to engage in a difficult conversation with City Council members who were not yet certain they would extend youth program funding.

Da’Layjah delivered a passionate speech to the city’s Life Enrichment Committee Meeting to advocate for funding youth programs. She made a compelling case for why renewing funding for the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, which directs resources to Lion Creek and across East Oakland, was so important for young people. The City Council subsequently voted in favor of allocating the funds.

This year, EBALDC is proud to honor Da’Layjah for her leadership at Lion Creek Crossings, presenting her with the Lynette Jung Lee Leadership Award at our annual gala. To support young people like Da’Layjah working to make a difference in their communities, please donate by visiting ebaldc.org/donate.