Early conference registration is closed, but you are still welcome!  Just sign in at the door.  See you Saturday!
what is the conference?
The Semi-Annual Membership Conference is a central gathering of our members and partner organizations from all across the city of Detroit. We share the tremendous work that 482 members have done over the previous six months, plan our next steps as an organization together, and learn about a critical topic in education.  It is a great opportunity for existing members to share in the decision-making of the organization and for those who are thinking about joining the movement to get their feet wet.
Schedule
​8:30am - Registration and Breakfast

10:00am - Welcome & Plenary A: What is student-centered education?

11:00am - Workshop A

12:10pm - Plenary B: 482Youth & Dr. Nikolai Vitti

12:25pm - Lunch

1:00pm - Workshop B

2:10pm - Plenary C: Awards & Raffle

2:30pm - Close
Workshops
Morning Workshops (11am-12pm)
 
The Future Wrapped in Care
Room 229
Presenters: Tyrone Allen, Jacob Crenshaw, Jalil Evans (Developing K.I.D.S. participants) and Kim Johnson (Developing K.I.D.S. CEO)
The workshop will prompt discussions on solutions for wraparound services needed in schools to support academic success.  Participants will also engage in a thought-provoking discussion with young facilitators on how these services and intentionally-designed curricula can create environments reflective of student culture.
 
Recommendations for Better Meeting the Needs of Muslim Students
Room 291
Presenters: Laila Nasher, Sarah Nasher, America Yayha, Wally Alhomaidi (ACCESS/JIRON-Join in to Revitalize Our Neighborhood)
The workshop will shed light on obstacles that Muslims students face in their respective Detroit schools and prompt discussions on the religion, its obligations, and how accommodations can meet the needs of more of the schools' students. Participants will engage in a knowledgeable discussion with the young facilitators about the types of accommodations that can be made for Muslims in the school system, but also for other groups who also lack accommodations and how we can create an ever more inclusive system in Detroit.
 
How Student Voice Has Influenced Program Quality and Attendance Initiatives in Southwest Detroit
Conference Center 116
Presenters: Alejandra Gomez and Mariah Bosquez (Urban Neighborhood Initiatives)
UNI will present on three examples of work we have done in schools and in the community to ensure there is student voice in attendance initiatives, evaluating the quality of programs, and assessing schools' climate and culture. We will share how these processes were created in partnership with youth and adults and the positive effects they have had on schools.
 
Basics of Direct Action
Music Recital Room
Presenters: Julia Cuneo (DAYUM)
Direct Action, AKA disruptive protest, is one tool organizers can use to increase pressure on a decision maker to meet their demands. Direct Actions can be large or small, loud or subdued, short or long term, and safe or risky. Participants in this workshop will learn about the many different types of direct action, some of the steps and roles that go into planning any disruptive protest, and safety tips for interacting with authorities. 
 
Rethinking Student Safety and School Policing
Room 228
Presenters: Krystina Wilson-Kendrick, Malacah Mason, Jessica Mason (482 NE Action Team)
The presence of law enforcement officers and security on school campuses has increased significantly over the years, and a cry for more has been heard in the wake of recent school shooting incidents.  But does more security really equate to safer schools or does it just add momentum to the school-to-prison pipeline?  Join us in this interactive workshop and learn about the NEAT campaign to reduce policing in schools.
 
 
Afternoon Workshops (1-2pm)
 
Robotics in the Neighborhood: A Case Study on Student-Centered Learning
Room 291
Presenters: Angie Reyes and Cristian Gutierrez (Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation)
A look at an after-school STEAM/Robotics program that was co-designed by community youth and how it has improved educational opportunities for young people.
 
Ed-YOUTH-cate: Youth-Led Project Planning for Socially-Just Schools
Room 229
Presenters: Nilay Mistry, Atishay Kumar, Jordan Hunter, Elisa Estrella, Uriel Llanas, Abhijay Kumar, Lindsey Matson (Metro Detroit Equity Fellows)
Join the Metro Detroit Equity Fellows for a workshop on how to utilize authentic youth/adult partnerships to plan and implement social justice projects in schools and communities.
 
Humanizing Schooling in Detroit
Room 242
Presenter: Nate Mullen (People in Education)
Learn how People In Education is humanizing schooling in Detroit. We will share lessons and experiences working in schools in Detroit. Starting off with practices we use in our classrooms to practice connection, we will share our projects including media projects produced by young people. Participants will leave with practices and resources for thinking about how to create learning spaces that honor the humanity of the students and the facilitators.
 
Opportunities for Student Voice in the Every Student Succeeds Act
Room 228
Presenters: Dee'Onta Roach, 10th grader at Achieving College and Career Education; Anell Eccleston (Student Advocacy Center)
This workshop will show people the possible ways to utilize school funding under ESSA to be able to provide specific programs and resources to students.  We will explore strategies for students to have input as a school community stakeholder. 
 
Youth Adult Partnerships
Music Recital Room
Presenters: Daniel Rizo-Lopez (Urban Neighborhood Initiatives), John Weiss (Neutral Zone)
A youth-adult partnership (YAP) is one in which adults work in full partnership with young people on issues facing youth and/or on programs and policies affecting youth. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn some of the important practice components of authentic youth-adult partnerships and reflect on ways to increase YAP in their own work.  
Pay in Advance
Advance-pay is closed.  Please pay at the door.

Get the Materials Below

We will upload all workshop materials in this section after the conference so you can find everything electronically.