Voices are the heartbeat of any community, and for nearly a decade, Irvine Talks, an annual student-led performance, has amplified high schoolers’ voices. The platform creates a stage for them to give speeches, bringing to light the perspectives of often-unheard individuals.
Yet this vital organization recently started a fundraiser out of concern that it would lose support from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation. For an event as important as Irvine Talks, proper funding and support are essential to keep its mission alive.
“For many of us, it was the first time we felt truly heard, whether we were speaking or listening,” past Irvine Talks performer junior Amber Chih said. “After I shared my story about living with a disability, people came up to me to say it made them feel less alone. Platforms like Irvine Talks don’t just showcase student voices—they remind us that those voices matter.”
At its core, Irvine Talks is a civic event that uses storytelling to bring about social awareness. By handing the microphone to students to share the raw realities of identity and struggle, it exposes audiences to lives beyond their own.
Simply listening to these stories can be a reminder that every choice carries weight, and that empathy is a discipline to be practiced most when it is the least convenient.
“Founded on the idea of human connection, Irvine Talks shows us how important it is to connect through our shared experiences,” Irvine Talks president Deea Gandotra said. “Our hope is to bring together students over our biggest commonality: our experiences.”
Recently, IPSF has come to an agreement with Irvine Talks to continue support as they gradually transition ownership to IUSD. While this is a positive development, it is crucial that a clear plan is installed in place to ensure that Irvine Talks can continue it’s vital work.
After eight years of growth, Irvine Talks still relies on IPSF’s already established support network and doesn’t yet have the fundraising experience or institutional backing to operate independently.
Without a gradual transition to IUSD, the event faces the real possibility of losing both its financial stability and the community it has worked so hard to unite.
Currently, Irvine Talks requires $2,000 in donations to make this year’s event possible and keep their mission of connecting Irvine and sharing countless stories alive.
Individuals interested in supporting this cause can donate at their Indiegogo. For more information about the event and the link to the Indiegogo, visit @irvinetalksofficial on Instagram.
