In July 2025, I had the honor of traveling to Washington, D.C. as part of the Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison (OYCL) Program through the Forum for Youth Investment.  

I was born in Dellwood, Missouri, raised in St. Louis, and graduated from Riverview Gardens School District — a district full of talent, resilience, and voices that too often go unheard. Today, as a student at Washington University in St. Louis, I carry those same voices with me into every space I enter. This trip wasn’t just a chance to visit the nation’s capital; it was a moment to bring our voices to the table and ensure Saint Louis youth were represented in national conversations about policy and power.

Meeting the People Who Represent Us

Precious Barry with Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.)

One of the most powerful moments was meeting my Congressman, Wesley Bell (MO-1). Having a representative from our district who shares lived experience with our communities gave me hope. It also reminded me that we have a responsibility to hold our leaders accountable. We talked about youth issues back home: access to education, justice reform, and what it means to truly support opportunity youth.

I also had the chance to meet with a staffer from Representative Jasmine Crockett’s office (TX-30). Though we’re from different states, our communities face many of the same challenges. That conversation reminded me that our struggles are interconnected, and so is our power.

We didn’t just show up to speak. We showed up to be heard. We asked direct questions: How can Congress invest in youth who’ve been pushed out of school, jobs, and opportunities?

Social Capital, Real Connections, and a Whole Lot of Joy

Throughout the week, we got trained on social capital building by the one and only Edward DeJesus of Social Capital Builders. His words challenged us to think differently about our relationships and networks, sharing that it’s not just what we know, but who knows us. He also taught us how we can uplift each other and create pathways for our peers.

Beyond the policy and training, we built real community. We visited historic monuments across D.C., toured the U.S. Capitol, and even spent a night out at Dave & Buster’s, laughing and celebrating how far we’ve come. Those moments, small as they might seem, were everything. I bonded with my cohort in a way that felt more like family than formality.

Coming Home with a New Fire

This trip made it clear. Young people like me, from Dellwood, from Riverview, from places that get overlooked, belong in these conversations. Not as tokens. Not as checkboxes. But as decision-makers.

I came back to St. Louis with more than just memories. I came back with a deeper mission. I’m committed to continuing this work, to advocating for policies that serve all youth, and to building bridges between my community and the people in power.

To this opportunity and my powerful peers in the OYCL program, thank you for seeing me. To Congressman Bell and Rep. Crockett’s team, thank you for listening. And to the young people back home in Saint Louis: this work is for you. You’re not forgotten. We are the policy. We are the power. And we are just getting started.

Pictured: OYCLs in front of the United States Capitol.