A Tucson teenager has created a free program to help young people understand the U.S. Constitution, their rights and Arizona law.

Leah Blackman, a Tucson native and high school student, launched Constitution 101 for Teens on Aug. 28, in partnership with a trio of local organizations. The youth-led initiative is aimed at middle and high schoolers, though the lessons can also be adapted for students as young as elementary school.

Blackman, 17, was inspired to create the program after noticing what she called a gap in the community.

"I was one of those kids who didn't understand the law or know what my rights were. When I was 12, I became curious and wanted to learn what I could and couldn't do," Blackman told Tucson Spotlight. "I just want every kid to have the same opportunity to learn and understand their rights and be more aware of the laws that affect them."

Blackman spent two years developing the curriculum, connecting with plenty of interested community members along the way.

"I reached out to more than 100 people by email and made 60 phone calls seeking guidance and volunteers and partnerships and support. As I kept going, I found these two very important mentors that play a huge role, which would be Azucena Bravo ... and University of Arizona law professor Linus Kafka," Blackman said. "They just encouraged me and helped me continue to pursue my vision."

Bravo is founder of Mini Poderosas, a nonprofit that guides girls ages 8 to 18, where Blackman serves as a teen mentor. After talking with Blackman about her idea for Constitution 101, she agreed to back her development of the program.

Mini Poderosas framed the initiative as a natural extension of its mission, giving young people free space to learn their rights, ask questions and build confidence in their own voices.

Bravo said that the group believes young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but are leaders right now.

"Programs like this give our youth the opportunity to learn about their rights, ask meaningful questions, think critically, and find their voices," Bravo said. "Leah represents the kind of mentor who shows not only our girls, but other youth that knowledge is power, that their voices matter, and that they can create positive change in our community"

Bravo said Blackman first stepped up at the organization’s fifth anniversary fundraiser, where she volunteered as a model for the fashion show and then took on a bigger role, mentoring other girls and coordinating the runway show.

“When she presented this idea to me, I had no doubt she would be a success. I was very impressed when she pitched the idea to me, and I immediately supported it, because this is our why, We hope to inspire many of our girls and young ladies and support their initiatives,” Bravo said. “I am proud to say Leah went from a Mini mentor to a partner, and I am looking forward to the rest of the sessions for this project.”

That same drive to get community buy-in led Blackman to the Pima County Bar Association, after participating in mock trial across the street from its headquarters.

"I just thought that that was the perfect thing, especially since I'm Miss Pima County Teen Volunteer," she said.

Rounding out the partnership is the University of Arizona Store, where the program's launch and inaugural session were hosted, featuring attorney Barry Bellovin, founder of the Bellovin Law Firm, as the first guest speaker.

Blackman said her personal connection to Bellovin made him the perfect fit to kick off the series.

"He helped with my brother’s personal injury case when he was a child. I’ve known him for more than 15 years," she said. "Because he had over 40 years of experience and he's been such a great help to us, I knew that he was the right person for our first session."

The Aug. 29 session, titled "The Constitution: Our Foundation," covered why the Constitution was written and how it shapes government structure and everyday life.

"It was a great turnout. We had about 15 to 17 students in the classroom, and everyone was participating," she said. "They're excited and their parents definitely loved it. They said they would definitely be coming back for more, because it's very interactive and it's for all ages. That's what I really like about it: no matter what age you're at, you can still learn about this."

Locations for monthly sessions will vary, but each will include a mix of interactive activities and presentations on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, civic responsibility and how the justice system works.

"At each session, we're going to be having a guest attorney ... and they're just going to be sharing legal insight and answering students' questions," Blackman said. "There's going to be an opportunity (for participants) to get certified at the Constitution Christmas conference, which I'll be holding in December at the University of Arizona, where they will be receiving a certificate alongside their families and volunteer attorneys. We have a lot of very exciting things for the students that are coming up."

The Sept. 19 session, a repeat of the Aug. 29 session for those unable to attend, will be held at the Pima County Bar Association.

"It's about the Bill of Rights and digging into more of the first 10 amendments and why those are the most important amendments out of the entire Constitution," Blackman said.

Two additional sessions are planned this fall, each running 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26: "Growing Up Under the Law," covering how Arizona law applies to minors and how the juvenile justice system works Saturday, Oct. 17: "Rights at School, Online & in the Community"

Schools, libraries and youth organizations interested in bringing a session to their students can reach out through the program's website, constitution101forteens.org.

After high school, Blackman hopes to study law at the University of Arizona and pursue a career in criminal law. She hopes that Constitution 101 will continue to be a part of her life as she navigates her schooling and career.

"I still want to be showing the students about the Constitution. I still want to continue the sessions, whether that's with other people involved, because as we continue to expand, we're hopefully going to be getting some new people to help us," she said. "I definitely want to continue this on."

In the short term, she's received a scholarship to travel to Chicago, where she'll be training alongside a group of lawyers to bring knowledge and experience back to the community.

Blackman is also hoping to secure donations or sponsors in the community, having been funding Constitution 101 for Teens using her own savings.

"As the program grows, I’m hoping to receive donations to help with materials, and other operational expenses," she said.

She's hopeful that interest in the program will grow and expand to include teens of all ages, pointing to young people's role in society and their ability to affect change.

"I would like to help the kids understand and really learn what they're doing in the community," she said. "You don't have to wait until you're able to vote to learn your rights, or until you're able to drive a car. You can start right now, and even if you're like 8 years old, you can still make a difference."

Caitlin Schmidt is editor and publisher of Tucson Spotlight.

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