Three hundred students in grades 6-12 from 17 private and public schools across New York state learned more about leadership and becoming change agents at a Youth Action Conference on April 23 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. The event, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by the Niagara University Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity and Mission.
The conference, which is planned and organized by the Ostapenko Center’s youth council, provides high school and college students with a platform to engage in crucial discussions on race, socio-economic marginalization, and oppression in their communities. This year’s facilitator was Amanda Coward, UB MSW intern in the Ostapenko Center.
“The Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission's annual youth conference is the center's biggest event,” said Dr. Rolanda L. Ward, associate professor of social work and endowed faculty director of the center. “This year, the conference moved to the Niagara Falls Convention Center to accommodate additional schools and students. We are grateful for our regional partnerships and their commitment to youth development. The youth conference naturally gives young people a platform to engage students and adults in critical consciousness. Each year, the youth council blows us away with how they curate the conference agenda. The Ostapenko Center is committed to elevating youth and young adult voices that promote racial equity and justice.”
Workshops focused on a variety of themes, ranging from social media to mental health, healthcare to student government. Presenters included NU alumnus Jordan Kensinger, ’19, New York state public health fellow at Catholic Health System; current Niagara students La’Tysiah Jordan, Heidi Pauta, Marianne Bonilla, Jennifer Diez, Caroline Lebron, Kiera Agee, Amiah Wilkes, Ralph Clancy, Angel Parker, Lore Porter, and Kaitlyn Pratt; and Meghan Casey, NU’s assistant athletic director for student athlete development.
Students learned more about the resources available at 18 local organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Rethink WNY, Gliding Stars, and Niagara County Employment and Training, which were featured in the exhibit hall.
A highlight of the day was an awards ceremony, during which 20 students were honored in the following categories: Courageous Advocacy; Inclusive Engagement; Community Changemaker; Academic Advocate; Unsung Activist; Artistic Expression of Social Justice; Intersectional Excellence; Ally; Racial Equity; and Persistence and Perseverance.
The conference was co-sponsored by the Education Collaborative of WNY, MENTOR New York, The Niagara Falls Housing Authority, the National Federation of Just Communities of WNY, and UB Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences.