City of STEM LA Maker Faire hosts over 30,000 attendees, features panel from Teens Teach Tech trainers across the US.

Los Angeles, Ca. (June 9, 2025) - What happens when you give young people the tools, training, and support to lead digital literacy workshops in their own communities? You get something as impactful as Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T—a national initiative that’s helping bridge the digital divide one student-led session at a time.

On April 12th, wealthykids.org hosted a dynamic virtual panel discussion at the City of LA STEM LA Maker Faire that brought together Teens Teach Tech (TTT) participants, mentors, and program leaders from across the country to highlight how youth are stepping up to lead meaningful change through technology education.

Meet the Panel

Wealthykids.org is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, CA, founded by Shaana Ramos. Established in 2012, the organization was created to teach financial stewardship to kids through STEM education and Arts. Shaana and her team organized the unique panel, which took place under a tent, on-site at the LA Maker Faire, as well as virtually. 

When Shaana reached out to Teens Teach Tech’s Jess Golson about participating in the event, she had one purpose in mind: spread the word about how Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, can make a positive impact in communities just like theirs. Over the last two years, Shaana has seen this impact firsthand, listening to the stories from supportive family members who say their teens have come out of their shells, found purpose and possibilities, and were always excited to host their next training event.

Accompanied by TTT graduates from the wealthykids.org team - Giovanni Duran and Joshelyn Robles - Shaana’s group facilitated the conversation between the panelist who all shared the same drive for change under the TTT program but very different experiences. The team’s newest member, Jesus Robles Jr., was also on site and excited to share his plans for the next wave of TTT trainers.

The panel was co-facilitated by Dwayne Famenia, a high school senior from C5LA who has recently signed on with participated in the program and is passionate about giving back through STEM outreach. Dwayne brought energy and enthusiasm to the conversation, helping guide a thoughtful discussion that spanned multiple regions and voices. A new member of C5LA (C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California), Dwayne was thrilled to represent the amazing work of his team and those that worked on the Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T initiative over the last three years.

C5LA works in the SoCal area to change the odds for high-potential teens from under-resourced communities by inspiring them to pursue personal success, while preparing them for leadership roles in school, college, work and their communities. Opportunities like being part of a Teens Teach Tech team grant young minds the opportunity to immerse themselves in their community and bring digital skills training to the ones that need it most.

The discussion also featured teens and mentors from across the country, including Empress and Pearls from Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by their mentor, Tamika Adams, Empress and Pearls serves girls ages 5-18 while exposing them to unique experiences that specifically focus on College and Career Planning, Etiquette Training, Entrepreneurship and Social and Emotional Learning. As a nonprofit organization, they are proud to serve their community and are committed to "Changing the World One Black Girl at A Time". These incredible young women were not only passionate about their work butexceptionally gifted at presenting to both virtual and in-person attendees. These middle schoolers shared heartfelt stories about the impact of teaching digital skills to their community, noting how the experience helped them grow in confidence, leadership, and communication. n.

Kiersten Rucker, Digital Inclusion Specialist at Connected Nation, represented the Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, program by explaining how it was developed to empower youth to become tech trainers in their communities. Participants are trained on a range of topics—from mobile device basics and cybersecurity to video conferencing and job search tools—and then lead workshops for adult learners, including seniors and parents. Students across the country are forming groups, working with Connected Nation’s TTT team, and putting in the work to be digital literacy advocates in their hometowns. These teens are helping adults of all ages navigate the internet safely, using their own experiences and tech-savvy upbringing to guide others through technology in all forms.

The discussion also featured teens and mentors from across the country, including Empress and Pearls from Atlanta, Georgia. These middle schoolers shared heartfelt stories about the impact of teaching digital skills to their community, noting how the experience helped them grow in confidence, leadership, and communication.

The Message

One of the most powerful messages takeaways from the panel was the importance of youth voice. These students aren’t just learning about technology—they’re becoming leaders, advocates, and changemakers. They’re helping others stay safe online, connect with loved ones, and access job opportunities. And they’re doing it all while building skills that will serve them for years to come. From their stories, it’s clear that one .highly effective way to improve digital literacy in adults is by empowering these young people to use those voices and connect with those who need their help.

Programs like Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, provide a pathway for young changemakers to do just that. This panel was a wonderful celebration of work that has already been done to foster safe, knowledgeable, digital citizenship across the country, as well as a call to action for other groups to join the cause and strength digital literacy in their own communities.

Watch the full panel discussion on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BG6pAWziSyo

We’re grateful to wealthykids.org for hosting this important conversation and continuing to uplift young voices through their work. And to every teen, mentor, and partner organization who participated—thank you for being part of this growing movement to build a more connected, inclusive digital future.

Want to know more about Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T? Check out our website: https://connectednation.org/programs/teens-teach-tech/

Learn more about Wealthykids.org here: https://www.facebook.com/WealthyKids?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Learn more about C5LA here: https://www.c5la.org/

Learn more about Empress and Pearls here: https://empressandpearlsinc.com/