Phi Chanda, president of the board of Amplify the Arch, grew up on the West Coast. Moving from California to Missouri for college took some adjustment—not just to snowstorms and gas prices, but to the way conversations around LGBTQ+ youth were framed. Now a Washington University in St. Louis sophomore, Chanda says their goal is to “show St. Louis high schoolers that they can have a happy future wherever their path goes.”
To help make that vision a reality, Chanda and a team of eight directors are hosting a first-of-its-kind conference in St. Louis in January 2026. The daylong event will feature workshops, performances, art exhibitions, and more—all designed to create safe, affirming spaces for queer youth. To protect attendees and the event itself, the exact location, date, and time will be announced closer to the event.
For the purposes of the conference, “youth” is defined as ages 13 to 26, but the event is open to all. Families and allies are encouraged to attend and show support in a variety of ways, including volunteering. Opportunities range from helping with check-in and managing backstage logistics to assisting with cleanup and more.
As Sister Pattie O’Pounder, vice president of Amplify the Arch, says, “One of the most powerful things you can do is not be part of the silent majority. Be a vocal volunteer. Be visible supporting these kinds of events, whether it’s Amplify the Arch or anything else LGBTQ is doing.” Volunteer sign-ups are now available online via the Amplify the Arch linktree page; background checks will be required for safety purposes.
O’Pounder and Chanda teamed up in early 2025, after Chanda envisioned a day devoted to empowerment. Encouraged by Dr. Jacob Chacko, executive director of WashU’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Chanda reached out to local nonprofit Fourth City Sisters to share the idea. After connecting with the group, Chanda says, “I knew then and there that this would be the perfect organization to partner with. I don’t want to be speaking over the voices of queer youth who’ve grown up here.”
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The feeling was mutual, with O’Pounder eager to provide insights on the financial, legal, and security infrastructure of an established nonprofit. “We’re really empowering youth to step up and lead, and giving them the platform and the support structure to make it happen, because they have all the great ideas. They just need a little support from organizations like the Sisters,” she says.
Support for the project also came through the It Gets Better Changemakers Grant, awarded to the duo last summer. After a lengthy application process, they’re now working to use the funding to make the conference as strong as possible. The Amplify the Arch team is mindful of the sensitivity involved in hosting an event for queer youth and is taking the necessary precautions to ensure attendees feel safe and supported.
Whether you’re a community member looking for support, a parent hoping to learn more, or a neighborhood ally, the Amplify the Arch youth conference is intended to offer a space for open conversation and communal joy. Chanda’s hope is that “St. Louis youth can walk into the conference feeling safe, and walk out feeling genuinely seen, affirmed, and supported.”
