Youth Unity Rising Summit 2024: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
This past October, we gathered with youth, community members, and educators for the 2nd Youth Unity Rising Summit, a powerful youth-led event organized by our Youth Advisory Committee and our friends at Denver Public Schools Students for Climate Action. The event started with our inspiring keynote speakers, Shannon Francis (@spiritofthe.sun) and Theo Wilson (@theoejwilson), followed by one of our highlights of the day: the Youth Leadership Panel. Beckett Nelson-Gardner, president of Denver Public Schools Students for Climate Action, held the event and facilitated the youth panel discussion. The panel consisted of meaningful conversations surrounding climate, mental health, and the importance of youth and community engagement. Thank you to Mabel Kim, Kingston Findlater, Charlotte Goldstein, and Beckett for your contributions and insights!
The workshops, facilitated or supported by youth, included content related to environmental justice and stewardship, leadership, advocacy, mental health, inclusive wellness, community healing, and more. By providing diverse platforms for learning and action, the Youth Unity Rising Summit empowers younger generations to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Purpose of the Summit:
This event, which was built in collaboration with youth for youth, was created to:
- • Engage youth leaders in meaningful discussions and action.
- • Equip youth with advocacy skills for climate and social justice skills.
- • Foster environmental stewardship and rematriation.
- • Strengthen collaboration with youth leaders.
- • Provide opportunities for growth and learning.
- • Show how arts and music can be tools for activism and healing.
- • Promote community healing and wellness.
Youth Unity Rising Summit Highlights:
Youth-Led & Community-Driven – Organized by our Youth Advisory Committee and Denver Public Schools Students for Climate Action, supported by Colorado Rising for Communities.
- Youth Leadership Panel – Hosted by Beckett Nelson-Gardner, featuring Mabel Kim, Kingston Findlater, and Charlotte Goldstein, discussing climate, mental health, and youth engagement.
- Interactive Workshops – Led and supported by youth, covering environmental justice, stewardship, leadership, advocacy, mental health, and community healing.
- Empowering the Next Generation – Providing platforms for youth to take action and drive meaningful change.
THANK YOU! 🙏🏽
We thank all our partners and co-sponsors, especially Spirit of the Sun, for providing the youth with Healing Food Bags. We would also like to thank our movement and community sponsors, the Colorado Health Foundation, the City of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, and The Center on Colfax/Rainbow Alley, for their unwavering support.
We are grateful to everyone, youth and community members alike, who showed up as their authentic selves and shared their knowledge and experience!
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS & COSPONSORS!
- • The Colorado Health Foundation
- • Denver Public Schools Sustainability Team
- • City of Denver – Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR)
- • Spirit of the Sun
- • The Center on Colfax
- • Denver Public Schools Students For Climate Action
- • East Sustainability Club
- • Jewish Youth Climate Movement of Denver
- • Mi Familia en Accion
- • CSU Warner College of Natural Resources
- • The Hub for Justice-Centered Youth Engagement
- • Moms Clean Air Force
- • The Green House Connection Center
- • The Lounge
- • The Conflict Center
- • Environmental Learning for Kids
