In the Season 5 premiere of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, a nonprofit executive and community leader with over a decade of experience in urban planning, equity, and public service.

Allison reflects on how early opportunities helped her find her voice, why community buy-in and representation matter, and how young people can get involved in shaping policy and change in their own neighborhoods. From advocating for equity to showing up as your full self at work, this episode explores what it means to lead with purpose and use your voice to create inclusive communities.