Colorado Youth Diversity Conference

Join hundreds of teens and teachers from across Colorado on Saturday, January 29, 2022, for a unique and powerful day planned entirely by and for students.

Student mariachi band performs

At its inception, eighteen schools gathered for what has now grown into the largest diversity and inclusion conference in the state of Colorado. In 2020 (our last in-person event) we were pleased to have 101 schools and organizations participating, with a total attendance over 1,100. This day-long conference is the only statewide conference dealing with issues of diversity and inclusion entirely planned by and for students.

COVID-19 Update: At this time we are optimistic about holding an in-person conference at the end of January 2022. As the date nears, and as the situation changes, we will update this website.

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Past Keynote Speakers

The keynote speaker for the Conference is selected each year by the YCD Colorado Student Board. We’ll announce it here when finalized; in the meantime, here is a list of the incredible and inspiring people who have addressed attendees for the past 28 years.

Who Should Attend

The Conference is open to all high school students and supportive teachers/adults from across Colorado. In particular, this event is a great opportunity for groups such as:

  • Diversity or multicultural student clubs
  • Student councils
  • Peace/conflict resolution-focused organizations, including PeaceJam and Interact
  • Religious student organizations interested in exploring interfaith dialogue and positive social change
  • Clubs celebrating specific student ethnicities, including Black Student Alliance, Latinx or Hispanic student clubs, Native/Indigenous student clubs and others
  • Gender/sexuality-focused student groups, including gay-straight alliances
  • Female empowerment student clubs
  • Peer counselors
  • Deaf students and their allies, including ASL signing clubs
  • Disabled students from all backgrounds
  • Creative writing and performance student groups, including poetry, spoken word, hip-hop, dance and other clubs
  • Students from a local youth organization, even if they attend different schools
  • ANY group of teens interested in improving their school’s culture or making a positive change in their community

Schedule

We fill the conference day with numerous opportunities for students and teachers to discuss, engage and explore the topics that are most important to them. Click any portion of the day below for more information. You can also download a printable version of the day’s schedule.

Arrival and Parking / 7:30 – 8:30 am

We urge everyone to arrive as early as possible.  If your group is not traveling to the event together, agree on a specific time to arrive as a group in advance. Note attendees are required to enter the campus off Yosemite Street and Campus Drive; you can find directions to the event here.  Once parked, follow the balloons to enter the West Building near the clock tower.

Rocky Mountain Diversity Fair / 7:30 – 10:30 am

Each year we invite dozens of colleges, universities, post-graduate programs and the military to join us the morning of the conference for the Rocky Mountain Diversity Fair.  On their way to breakfast, attendees will walk past the tables with representatives who are available to speak with high school students about their commitment to diversity. Students and faculty advisors may take as much time at the Diversity Fair as interested. The Diversity Fair is also free and open to the public!

Breakfast / 7:30 – 9:00 am

We provide a light breakfast, including bagels and cream cheese, yogurt, fruit and muffins, as well as water.  Participants are then ushered as a school group to the main auditorium to register.

Registration and Morning Entertainment / 8:30 – 9:30 am

Faculty advisors register their schools as they enter the Fine Arts building; registration takes a matter of minutes. Each school receives a packet containing materials for the conference day, including nametags. An emcee and various student groups from around the state keep participants entertained as we get closer to starting the formal program. Past performers include the Chatfield Jump Rope Club, Northglenn Step Team, the Denver East Angels Drum Line and the Kalama Polynesian Dancers.

Opening Ceremonies and Keynote Speech / 9:30 – 10:20 am

Opening Ceremonies begin with welcome speeches by the conference student co-chairs and educational leaders. Each year the Student Executive Committee works hard to identify and invite a notable public speaker to address conference attendees. In 2020 we were addressed by Lt. Col. Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell, the first Black female jet fighter pilot in U.S. history.

Discussion Groups and Lunch / 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

The first interactive session of the conference day involves informal group discussions of students from all over the state led by trained student facilitators. Students have an opportunity to speak their mind about the social issues they are facing in their schools and communities, and hear from other students from across the state who may be facing similar or different issues. Lunch is served at this time as well. While students are in their discussion groups, faculty advisors meet to have professional development workshops on teaching for equity and social justice.

Workshop A / 12:10 – 1:20 pm

Students and faculty advisors attend a workshop of their choice, chosen in advance.  See a list of workshops offered here.

Workshop B / 1:30 – 2:40 pm

Both students and faculty advisors attend a second workshop of their choice, chosen in advance. See a list of workshops offered here.

Action Planning Meetings / 2:50 – 3:20 pm

All attendees meet back with their schools or organizations for a brainstorming discussion on creating an action project for the second semester. Each school is free to identify whatever issue is most pressing to be addressed, and YCD provides support and guidance as students plan, enact, and evaluate their project.

Closing Ceremonies / 3:30 – 4:00 pm

We finish the day by giving out a community award, viewing a video montage, and hearing from an exceptional musical performer.

Workshops

The 40+ workshops offered at the Conference each year are chosen by the YCD Colorado Board, so that the topics are constantly reflecting the needs, interests, and challenges facing Colorado teens.

Below is the partial list of workshops that took place at the 2021 Conference.  We will post the updated list of workshops for the 2022 event no later than January 2, 2022. Hover over any slide to pause the animation.
Preventing Sexual Violence and Supporting Survivors
This session will explore the power youth have to create spaces where sexually inappropriate or violent behaviors are recognized, and intervention occurs to support survivors. We will use small group activities and discussion to expand recognition of a range of sexually violent behaviors and the impacts of these behaviors, the systems in place to address these behaviors, and identify how youth have opportunities to intervene at all points as positive bystanders. Youth will practice bystander intervention using real life scenarios commonly described by high school students. Youth presenters will encourage participants to think creatively and develop a broad variety of intervention techniques, honoring personalities, identity, and safety. Presenters will create a safe space to facilitate honest, non-judgmental conversations throughout the session.
Religious Diversity: Working Together Across Differences
Join leaders from the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and learn about how people from all the world’s religions can work together to create a more just and unified world. This participatory workshop will include leaders from a variety of faiths, and together, we will do more than just talk about religions working together—we’ll get to do it.
Shifting Your Perception
This transformative workshop consists of brain teaser exercises, illusions, videos and activities to explore how we see and what choices we make because of those beliefs. During this interactive experience we uncover origins that shaped our perceptions of race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion, ability and appearance. We depict how the factors shaping our beliefs from our experiences and environment to the media influences choices with detrimental or beneficial results. In this heightening self-awareness session you will receive empowerment strategies to heal from harmful experiences and rid yourself of destructive conditioning in order to break unhealthy habits, attain self-love and build empathy and sincere relationships. Leave feeling stronger and uplifted with a newly evolved approach toward the treatment of self and others.
Telling Your Story
Join the City of Denver’s Chief Storyteller for a session on how to craft and tell stories in a captivating way. We’ll explore how we can all use storytelling to find our voice, express our identity and share our passion for positive social change.
Theatre Games: Diversity of Perspectives
Diversity isn’t just about our upbringing, culture, and affluence—it’s also about our state of mind. Explore with Ryan Foo from the Black Actors Guild as you journey through improv games that are designed to push the very limits of your perspective and understanding. The workshop will help participants develop an understanding of perspective, relationship, and growth.
An #ActuallyAutistic Tour of the Spectrum
This workshop is a crash course on autism, the autistic community, and the neurodiversity movement. Led by an autistic self-advocate, this workshop will break down stereotypes and misconceptions about autism in order to help clarify who we are, what we think about ourselves, and how we perceive and interact with the world. It will also provide participants with the tools to support autistic friends and family and the language to advocate alongside us.
Understanding Immigration and Immigrants
We hear a lot of talk about immigration and immigrants from politicians and in the media. But how many immigrants have you met directly? Join us for this workshop where a panel of guest speakers will share their immigration stories and help us challenge our stereotypes on this politically hot topic.
West African Dance
Come dance with the one and only Djeneba Sako from Mali, West Africa. Djeneba will share traditional and contemporary dances and choreography from Mali and get you moving!
Yoga IRL
This workshop delivers the benefits of yoga, in real life. Those who attend Yoga IRL can expect to gain knowledge and perspective of their individual existence, and how that relates to their environment and those around them. We will feature body awareness exercises, on and off our mats. We will learn strategies for experiencing everyday emotions—fear and excitement, anger and joy—in more than just our heads. And we will explore how all of that fits into the complex world around us. This is the yoga no one talks about … yet.
Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Victory
Many people don’t know that, for the first time in Colorado’s history, eligible 17-year-olds will be able to vote in 2020! Join us for a collaborative, exciting workshop during which we’ll explore: why voting matters, barriers to voting, how to become the vote captain of your community and build a powerful movement, and the crucial role 17-year-olds will play in the 2020 elections.

Propose a Workshop

Do you have an idea for a good workshop at this event?  We are currently accepting proposals and would love to hear from you! Past presenters have included high school students, non-profit organizations, teachers, parents, and interested members of the community.

propose your workshop idea

Travel and Lodging

In general, school groups within a 3-hour drive of the Denver Metro area can attend the event without requiring overnight stays.

For groups coming from further away, YCD has negotiated a hotel room block with the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center, located just a few blocks from the venue. The room block covers check-in on Friday, January 29, 2021 and check-out the next day on Saturday, January 30 (the day of the conference). Rooms available include:

  • 1 standard king bed (sleeps 2, includes free parking): $89/room
  • 2 double beds (sleeps 4, includes free parking): $99/room

For any questions about reserving rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn for this event, please contact Nallely Espinosa at (720) 528-3010 or nallely.espinosa@hilton.com.

Registration

If you’re ready to join the Conference, great! Interested schools and youth organizations are asked to register for YCD Colorado, which grants full access to all of our programming throughout the 2021-22 school year, including this Conference.

register for YCD Colorado

Contact Info

For more information about the YCD Colorado Student Board, contact either organizer for the program:

Asia Lyons

Asia Lyons

Organizer – YCD Colorado
Aurora, Colorado
(313) 443-7165
asia@lyonseducationalconsulting.com

Dr. Kinette Richards

Kinette Richards

Organizer – YCD Colorado
Aurora, Colorado
(720) 747-3112
krichards@ycdiversity.org

For questions about registration, payment, or anything else, contact YCD’s Executive Director:

Caleb Munro

Caleb Munro

Executive Director
Denver, Colorado
(720) 507-0746
cmunro@ycdiversity.org