Chris and Ish sit down with social-work scholar Dr. DaVonti’ DeAngelo Haynes and community-engagement expert Dr. Brandi Gilbert to explore the real story behind those numbers.
“Young people aren’t disconnected by choice—they’re disconnected by exclusion,”
— Dr. DaVonti’ Haynes
Why the “disconnection” frame falls short
Haynes argues that the term too often blames youth for systemic failures. Many teens shoulder adult responsibilities—working to keep the lights on, caring for siblings, or navigating homelessness—while schools and workforce systems rarely flex to meet those realities.
Structural roots, not individual flaws
Dr. Gilbert adds that racism, neighborhood divestment, and the hollowing-out of entry-level jobs funnel Black youth into the margins. Pandemic-era school closures and widened digital divides only compounded those barriers.
What reconnection looks like
The guests outline a three-part roadmap:
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Flexible learning pathways – Dual-credit programs, paid apprenticeships, and competency-based diplomas that let students earn while they learn.
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Caring adult networks – Mentors who bridge school, work, and mental-health supports; Haynes calls this the “web of belonging.”
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Policy accountability – States and districts tracking disconnection rates publicly and tying funding to proven re-engagement models.
Why it matters for all of us
Disconnected youth cost taxpayers an estimated $55 billion annually in lost earnings and social-service spending, yet every re-engaged young adult can flip from a budget line-item to a community asset.
A Call to action
If you mentor, teach, hire, or legislate, ask yourself: How can I build a bridge back for the young people in my community?
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