Black Youth Summit

The inaugural Black Youth Summit (BYS) hosts participants from Iowa High Schools (9th through 12th grade), educational advisors, community members, and community organizations. The summit is a multi-racial/multi-national on Tuesday, April 4 at the Iowa Memorial Union.

The Summit creates and supports collaborative groups of thought leaders and innovators to advance interdisciplinary collaboration in strategic areas, including well-being and mental health; arts and humanities; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. BYS is an opportunity for the University of Iowa to cultivate partnerships with K-12 institutions to enhance college readiness and help students learn about the value of higher education. Moreover, this is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships with the communities of the Eastern Iowa Corridor by demonstrating their talent and experience through workshops and lessons.

Throughout the Summit, participants will be able to increase awareness of mental health and well-being resources and participate in co-curricular learning that provides foundational well-being knowledge and skills. This type of programming promotes the University's goals to foster programs that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the University community. Furthermore, through sustaining and supporting programs like the Black Youth Summit, the University can better demonstrate its institutional values.

Visit the link for all the details about the day-of schedule, keynote speakers, and guidelines for submitting an essay, poem, or piece of artwork. Please contact Alma Berna at alma-bernal@uiowa.edu and Stephen Ogunnubi at stephen-ogunnubi@uiowa.edu with any questions or concerns.