Volume 48 | October 2022

Monthly News and Updates

The African American Youth Leadership Conference (AAYLC) wants to stay connected with you! Enjoy interesting facts, educational information, highlights and upcoming events. Have a question or comment? Please contact us at info@aaylc-co.org.

Did You Know?

Having a plan is one of the best stress-reduction strategies out there. As humans, we crave feeling like we're in control and that we have certainty. Research shows that having control helps us stave off symptoms of depression and anxiety. Planning for the future gives us direction, and reduces uncertainty. Source

Executive Director's Corner

As Nelson Mandela once said, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” Our young people will be the ones taking charge of and leading the world. They will be the ones to shape the world’s future. However, our youth are also the present. We must acknowledge the valuable contribution that middle and high school students consistently make. This is the generation that will solve future crises, lead countries, write policies, innovate ideas, and preserve systems of justice. Several young people are already entrepreneurs, leaders, and consumers. Many of them will soon become voters and employees. They have power, individually and collectively. We must help them harness that power and encourage them to use it for the greater good of the global community.

It is said that the future belongs to those who prepare for it today. Let’s support and focus on the students who are taking action today to prepare for a better tomorrow. It’s up to us to pass along as much knowledge and offer our young people as many opportunities to gain the experience they need to help them be prepared for the future.

Sincerely,

Shantelle Bridges

Executive Director

Plan for Your Future: Tips for Young Professionals

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." - Chinese Proverb The frenetic pace of our digital lives is dizzying! We are constantly on the move! Too many things to do, people to see and places to go.

Student of the Month - Jakin Ford

In his play titled “Twelfth Night,” William Shakespeare wrote, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Jakin Ford was born into and exudes greatness, and she continually works to be even greater. The Sand Creek High School sophomore is a force to be reckoned with in and out of the classroom. Being an honor roll student, who currently holds an outstanding 3.9 GPA, only begins to list Jakin’s accomplishments. She is also a creator of an e-commerce store, a public speaker, a YouTuber, and a music artist.

Learn more about this exceptional student

Across the Board

I was about 8 years old the first time I recognized my need for planning and contingency planning. As a child of divorced parents, I felt like my entire world was turned upside down when I had to figure out a new routine for school. Even as an adult, I still feel the need to have all the information possibly available to plan out my next steps. What I’ve learned in my lifetime is that no matter how hard you try- you simply can’t plan for everything. Sometimes life throws you curveballs that you would never expect, but it’s how you move forward that makes the biggest difference in the trajectory of your future. If you have a strong foundation, then those curveballs may shake you, but they will not break you! A strong foundation includes pillars such as: strong sense of self, identifying your passion, surrounding yourself with people that support you, and the resiliency to keep pushing towards your goal. These pillars have kept me motivated to keep investing in myself and planning for my future, and I hope they will do the same for you.

Sincerely,

Demetria Lister

Board Secretary

Matters of the Mind - Anxiety & Planning for the Future

by Alice Miles, Counselor at Mt. Carmel Veteran Service Center and AAYLC Board Director

The National Institute of Mental Health discovered that an estimated 31.9% of adolescents in the United States have had an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety that can make it difficult to plan for the future. Anxiety is a normal part of development but when it becomes excessive or affects a part of you or your student’s life, it’s time to ask for help. Anxiety can be paralyzing, thus showing up emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. Without learning to manage it, thinking of the future can lead to more distress than dreams. Read More

New Strategic Outlook

As the AAYLC embarks upon our 30th year, we take a moment to reflect on our past so that we can prepare for our future. Over the past three decades our community has changed, as have their interests, needs, and goals for their families. To better position ourselves to continue to serve youth and their families, we recently updated our vision, mission, and core values. We look forward to engaging with you as we collectively initiate the following:

Our Vision: Cultivate diverse student leaders to enhance the community and beyond.
Our Mission: Deliver innovative programs and experiences to enhance student empowerment in their communities and beyond.
Our Core Values: Empowerment, Knowledge, Opportunity, Growth, Connection

Meet the Board of Directors

The AAYLC Board of Directors is passionate about providing students and their families with the necessary tools to make an impact in their communities and beyond. We would like to thank the following outgoing board members for their service: Taura Cotten, Stacy Platt, and Kim Holman. Check out our focused, dedicated, and experienced team by clicking here.

Nicole Frazier

President

Information Technology

Manya Whitaker

Vice President

Ad-Hoc Programs

Clara Akins

Treasurer

Finance & Budget

Demetria Lister

Secretary

Public & Media Relations

Harold Geolingo

Director

Community Partnerships

Alice Miles

Director

Governance & Policy

Lisa Fetman

Director

Fundraising

Samantha Corinaldi

Director

Board Nominations & Development

Sanaa Jones

Student Member

Doherty High School

Cydnee Taylor

Student Member

Rampart High School

Upcoming Events

2022 Scholarship, Financial Aid and College Application Sessions

The AAYLC in collaboration with Education Children of Color (ECOC), Peak Education, and the Sachs Foundation's Elevated Program, is pleased to present our 2022 Scholarship, Financial Aid and Application Sessions.

High School students are invited to hear from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), participate in a Financial Aid and Scholarship Essay Writing Presentation, and attend an optional College Application Workshop. Representatives from the Boettcher Foundation, Daniels Fund, Sachs Foundation, Greenhouse Scholars, and other local colleges, universities and organizations will be present for a special Q& A panel. There will also be a scholarship fair. Location: Tesla Professional Development Center. Click here to register.

Student Advisory Committee (Bi-Weekly Meetings)

Attention High School Students! We want to meet with YOU! This team works with AAYLC leadership to brainstorm new ideas, suggest potential sessions and presenters, and provide insight for our annual conference. We are seeking 9th - 12th graders who are willing to share their voices on a variety of topics and to work to create an action plan for our 2023 Conference. Dates: Sundays - 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18 from 3:30pm - 5:00pm. Location: Hillside Community Center. If you are interested in participating in these meetings, please click here.

Colorado Gives Day - Fundraiser

The AAYLC is excited to announce that Colorado Gives Day is set for Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. For 24 hours, Colorado comes together to raise funds for local nonprofits, and we’re ecstatic to be a part of the day! On Colorado Gives Day, we’ll be celebrating our accomplishments and the great work that we do for youth, community, and families. Our work to deliver innovative programs and experiences for youth is more vital now than ever before. This day of giving is one of the many ways you can make a real difference. Together, we can make the world a better place for our youth and, therefore, our collective future.

30th Anniversary Celebration (Save the Date)

We are thrilled to announce that we will be celebrating our big 3-0 this winter at The Pinery at the Hill! While we cannot reveal much yet (We know, the suspense is unbearable!), we can tell you to get ready for a night of fun, laughter, joy, and a little bit of glitz and glam. Details coming soon—keep an eye on your inbox over the next few months!

Community Engagement

Outlets at Castle Rock Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who attended the Outlets at Castle Rock Shopping Extravaganza fundraiser on Saturday, September 10th. Although it was a little cold and rainy, we were grateful for the excellent turnout! Approximately 200 AAYLC supporters came out to receive the numerous prizes, great deals, entertainment, and enjoy a special appearance from the In-n-Out Burger Semi Food truck! We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing your smiling faces again next year!

Planning Committee Members

Are you looking for ways you can utilize your skill set to serve the community? We have the opportunity for YOU! As a planning committee member, your support and enthusiasm enables us to plan and execute a culturally diverse and comprehensive event that embraces, challenges and encourages youth to excel. If you are interested in utilizing your skills to plan for our conference and other events, we would love to work with you!

Click Here to apply.

Donate and Make a Difference - Click Here

AAYLC | www.aaylc-co.org