The YES! (Youth Equity Solutions) Leadership Team conducted professional development training for Student Success Center staff on March 15, which gave them the opportunity to share their expertise and leadership on important issues surrounding diversity and inclusion with staff. Created by the Missing Voices leadership group, the YES! Leadership Team is comprised of 10 Saint Mary’s students (six First Generation Initiative students and four other students of color), as well as some high school students. These students are leaders in the movement to improve classrooms through the use of advocacy, art, and narrative. They help plan two large-scale events that happen each year, the Youth Action Retreat and the Missing Voices: Equity in Education Summit. These individuals are empowered to add their unique voice to the equity conversation in order to take action and make change in the community.
Photo caption: Some of the participants from the YES! Leadership Team professional development training included, from left: Esther Peralez, dean of Student Success, and students Monikaben Patel, Enitan Onayiga, Tiarra Thompson, Aldontae Guess, and Ruba Kenyi.