NM Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission 20th Youth Leadership Conference
NM Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission 20th Youth Leadership Conference
Youth interacting during a workshop at the MLK Youth Conference
The 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission held its 20th Youth Leadership Conference at the Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel. Nearly 100 youth, ages 14 to 21, attended the statewide event. The conference was organized by a planning committee comprised of representatives from the Office of African American Affairs, University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque Public Schools, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, teachers and parents. However, the Commission’ s new administration, Leonard Waites and Diane Mourning Brown, recognized the need to include youth; the Youth Ambassadors attended planning meetings, made critical decisions about the agenda, presented workshops; tasted and selected the meals prepared by the Sheraton.
The Friday Keynote Speaker was Dr. Doris Fields, Chair of the Board of the New Mexico Humanities Council, who spoke on the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Joycelyn Pegues Jackson of the Office of Equity Engagement at APS facilitated the film,“ The Children’ s March,” and led a thoughtful discussion with the youth.
Sister and brother, Atiya and Siddiq Muhammad, are seasoned Youth Ambassadors. They presented an informative workshop from the Gun Access and Suicide Prevention curriculum. Devont’ e Watson, an aspiring politician, graduate student and former Youth Ambassador, presented breakout sessions on health and wellness entitled“ Sole-to-Soul,” His younger brother, Deon Watson, was the Master of Ceremonies for both days.
Enlace Comunitario Youth Leaders, Mexicanimmigrant middle and high school students, led a group session on teen dating violence, a subject important to young people from all cultures. Cindy Nava, a UNM graduate research assistant, shared her inspiring story and challenges of being labeled an undocumented immigrant student. Motivational speaker Ken Jackson of The KJEffect energized the youth about realizing their dreams and doing what they want to do in their own lives. Rob Duren III, a UNM police officer, presented the realities of getting stopped by the police. Officer Duren’ s talk sparked a multitude of questions from the multiracial crowd.
A field trip to Warehouse 508 was one of the highlights of the conference and provided a muchneeded release of energy for the hard-working young crowd. Youth Ambassador and hip-hop dancer, Fernando Barrios, taught a dance workshop and performed. Zavier Thompson performed several rap songs that he wrote and a dozen youth participated in the open talent show.
The conference ended on a high note with a dance party and a tribute from the Youth Ambassadors who recruited 25 new Ambassadors. Several youth who live outside of Albuquerque want to start Youth Ambassador programs in their towns. The MLK Commission will help jump-start that effort.
In addition to the conference, the New Mexico MLK Commission( commissioners pictured above) held its annual meeting at the Sheraton. www. oaaa. state. nm. us 30