This year’s Youth Leadership Develop Workshop (YLDW) was held on Thursday, April 25th, 2024. We had roughly 102 attendees. This event is student led by our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) who have spent the last 6-7 months planning and organizing this annual event. They also created this year’s theme… Hold the Vision, Trust the Process.
We kicked off our meeting with an Icebreaker Bingo game to allow the students to mix and mingle with each other to find similar interests. We followed the icebreaker game with a game of Kahootz while breakfast was being served. Prior to coming to the event, students were allowed to pick 3 of 5 Insight Sessions to attend throughout the morning. The following insight sessions were offered:
- Money Talks by Ms. Latasha Jacob, Ms. Angelique Cheatem, and Lorin Crenshaw
- Mental Health by Ms. Tania Edwards
- Study Smarter Not Harder by Ms. Satara Brown
- Next Steps by Mr. Eric Thompson
- Activism by Rev. Thomas TJ James
Each insight session was roughly 45 minutes long and students really enjoyed learning different topics that will prepare them for life after high school. We always receive great reviews and feedback regarding the insight sessions.
Immediately after the insight sessions, the students attended our lunch presentation. Our lunch speaker, Jamie Grayson, the Executive Director and Founder of People of All Colors Succeed shared a great presentation teaching life skills that will prepare students whose pathway is to attend a college, trade school, or enter the workforce with skill sets that help them throughout life. This was an engaging presentation that allowed students to share their thoughts and inspirations on what makes them succeed.
Before being released back to school, students were then asked to complete an evaluation form and collect their gift of a T-Shirt that was designed by one of our Youth Advisory Council Students, Malachi Cole. Our event lasted from 8am-1pm.
Youth Advisory Council Students:
President Caleb Truelove Rockhurst High School
Vice-President Evann Nelson North Kansas High School
Secretary K’lynn Lawrence Washington High School
Assistance Secretary Kalvary Riley St. Theresa’s Academy
Chaplain Briana Edwards Prudence Academy
Timekeeper ` Ariana Edwards* Prudence Academy
Members Malachi Cole** Mars Hill Academy
Leah Denson Allen Village High School
Noah Riley Lincoln Prep
Nevaeh Rosa Washington High School
Black Achievers’ Mentors:
Arlana J. Coleman -A Joy Event Planning, LLC
Heather Rollins -Blue Cross Blue Shield Nebraska
Dr. Marisa Gray -Intentionally Design Solutions, LLC
Elliott Ivory -Honeywell FM&T
Grant Lewis -Honeywell FM&T
J. Warrick -Honeywell FM&T (retired)
Our Program cover was designed by Youth Advisory Council Student Member Ariana Edwards.
Our t-shirt was designed by Youth Advisory Council Student Member Malachi Cole.
