At the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center—San Francisco’s oldest Black-led nonprofit – generations come together to share wisdom, challenge stereotypes and build a more connected community. Through the Senior Victory Club and Black Legacy Builders Teen Fellowship Program, seniors and youth engage in meaningful conversations that foster respect, understanding and appreciation. These programs create safe spaces, strengthen bonds and promote a more inclusive future.
As a result of their work, Booker T. received an Equity Community Organizing (ECO) Group grant from a funding partnership between The SCAN Foundation, the California Health Care Foundation and Metta Fund, and with the support, chose to create an intergenerational advocacy group to identify health equity issues in aging—particularly among marginalized communities—and develop strategies to address them. With this support, Booker T. helps seniors continue to age with grace, purpose and connection.
For me, Barbara Wilson, as the Senior Advisory Committee Co-Chair, I find deep purpose in my role at the Center. I help support the daily needs of the older adult program, ensuring support for seniors to age with dignity, respect and joy. The Senior Victory Club offers a welcoming space where seniors can connect, share meals and feel valued. In a city like San Francisco, where attacks on seniors are rising, having a sanctuary where we feel safe, heard and appreciated is essential. The kindness and support we receive from youth is truly heartwarming.
For over 60 years, I have volunteered with various organizations, always cherishing the opportunity to connect with young people. Booker T.’s programs reaffirm that commitment. One of the most rewarding aspects is the curiosity of younger generations. They ask thoughtful questions like, “What was it like when you were my age?” and teach us in return—like when they explained Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance. We share experiences they’ve never known, like phone booths and typewriters. These exchanges keep us engaged with the evolving world and foster meaningful connections between generations.
Beyond conversation, Booker T.’s programs have strengthened my mental, physical and emotional health. A couple of years ago, I suffered a heart attack, and the support from the center and young people helped me through it. Our care for one another is genuine. Seeing youth show kindness to seniors makes a real difference—it teaches respect and reinforces the importance of treating others with dignity.
My message to other seniors is simple: You are appreciated, and there is a community for you. It is never too late to find family, both young and old.
As a youth leader, I, Dynastii Wynn, have seen firsthand the vital role young people play in intergenerational conversations. Since joining Booker T. in my sophomore year, my experiences have been life changing. Through the Black Legacy Builders Teen Fellowship Program and the ECO Group, Booker T. provides events and discussions that integrate both age groups, making these interactions natural and impactful. These exchanges allow us to educate while being educated. Now, at 18, I understand the importance of youth engaging with older generations—not just to learn from them, but to share our own perspectives.
Being part of this program has transformed my mindset and strengthened my relationships with elders, including those in my family. It has given me confidence and taught me how to navigate intergenerational spaces. Too often, my peers have lost respect for elders and feel disconnected from them. I believe that if more youth had access to programs like this, it could change their lives.
Through our work together in the ECO Group, I’ve gained patience, trust in the process and a greater sense of self-worth. The seniors at Booker T. make me feel confident and remind me that I am enough. I’ve become a better communicator and now approach conversations with openness and understanding.
Understanding our past is crucial to building a better future. As youth, we carry the responsibility of ensuring that future is one of unity and respect. Booker T.’s ECO Group is more than a program—it’s a movement. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, we are building a future that honors the past while embracing the possibilities of tomorrow.
