Building Belonging and Career Pathways for Young People | Andrew Norman

Building Belonging and Career Pathways for Young People | Andrew Norman

May 28, 2026 · 11 min

About this episode

Andrew Norman discusses the importance of belonging and creative spaces in youth development and workforce pathways.

Most people think youth development starts with programs. But in this conversation, Andrew Norman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Bay, shares why it really starts with belonging, trust, creativity, and access. Andrew leads a $3.8 million youth workforce and creative development organization serving thousands of young people each year across Omaha and Lincoln. Through skateboarding, music, gaming, fashion, photography, workforce education, and community, The Bay is helping young people build confidence, skills, relationships, and real pathways forward. Shonna and Andrew visit about: • Why youth belonging is a workforce issue • How creative spaces help young people build confidence • The role of near-peer mentorship • The Bay’s workforce development pathway • What’s ahead with The Bay’s new Benson youth and workforce hub This is a practical, hopeful conversation about what it really takes to reach young people and help them see a future for themselves.

People in this episode

Guest: Andrew Norman

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Bay

Places: Omaha, Lincoln

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