The World's Premiere Alternative Education Conference
An event that brings together all who are interested in learner-centered, Learner directed alternatives. This three-day virtual event will features, keynotes, action-oriented workshops, mini-talks, pop-up sessions, networking, and more! It will be organized by youth and adults with an emphasis on youth.
We invite all who are interested in Learner - Centered, Learner - Directed Alternatives To Join Us!
2022
Keynote Speakers
Dayna Martin
Dayna Martin has been inspiring others for over two decades by sharing her experience through natural birth, and Radical Unschooling. She is the author of Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun & Raising Rebels: Parenting Advice from the Girl Your Parents Warned you About. Dayna is a speaker and worldview pioneer who travels the world helping families change their lives by changing their parenting paradigm. Her work has brought more peace, freedom and connection to thousands of families worldwide.
Peter Gray
Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College, has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook, now in its eighth edition, which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. Much of his research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Releasing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine.
Kate Robinson
Kate Robinson is an international consultant in creativity and innovation in education. She is Director of Nevergrey, which, amongst other activities, serves as the global head office of her father Sir Ken Robinson, and was the founding Editor in Chief of HundrED.org. Kate's expertise lies in raising the profile of inspiring initiatives, with a particular focus on start-ups, and building strong partnerships with purpose. Her passion lies in engaging youth voice, and through this work has been awarded a thought leadership award for Outstanding Contribution to Education Empowerment.
Mark Jacobs
Mark Jacobs - is the co-founder and director of Longview School in Brewster, NY. For the past 21 years, he and the Longview team of teachers have been continuously adapting the model to optimize student-directed learning in a democratic school setting. The curriculum focuses on making learning authentic, inquiry-based, and hands-on, as well as integrating emergent technology in the classroom. In addition to directing the school, Mr. Jacobs is the middle and high school history teacher. He has been a speaker and workshop leader at many educational conferences including IDEC in Paris, as well as winning numerous public speaking awards with Toastmasters International. He ran for Congress in 2000, and has been a social and political activist working on issues such as the closing of the Indian Point nuclear power plant—which is now closed! He is a longtime resident of the lower Hudson Valley, having raised two children there with his wife, to whom he has been ecstatically married for 27 years.
Ulcaa Joshi Hansen
Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen is currently Chief Program Officer at Grantmakers for Education, a member organization that serves as a trusted partner for education philanthropists as they adapt to the changes impacting our world. She brings to the role more than twenty years as an educator and advocate working to shift the foundational values and approaches that undergird America’s education system. Ulcca is a first-generation American who began school as an English-language learner; she was the first in her family to complete college and graduate school. Along the way, she lived and studied in other countries, experiencing how different systems approach learning and define achievement. Her own experiences have fueled her desire to interrogate and advocate for an expanded vision of what it means to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education in America.
Ulcca began her career as an elementary school teacher in Newark Public Schools. She then spent two years as a Program Fellow at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, where she had her first experience of the power of philanthropy to convene thought leaders, support community-based organizations and influence policy systems. Over the last twenty years she has gained experience across the non-profit, public, and philanthropic sectors, in the US and abroad, leading programs, conducting research and crafting policy. She has worked with educators, students, communities, business and civic leaders to support developmentally-aligned, human-centered learning experiences that unlock the unique potential of individual learners regardless of their background, circumstances, cognitive or physical differences. She is especially committed to bringing a racial justice and equity lens to the expansion of this educational approach.
In her most recent roles as Chief Strategy Officer at Boundless and Vice President at Education Reimagined, she built partnerships between schools, districts, non-profits and higher education institutions committed to expanding access to relationship-based, relevant and real-world learning experiences in the PK-12 and post-secondary spaces. As Vice President of the Public Education and Business Coalition she expanded the Colorado Teacher Residency to become the first residency-based preparation program in the country to serve both urban and rural districts. She also redesigned the residency curriculum, grounding new teachers in the fields of learning science, human development and human well-being.
An internationally-recognized expert on educational transformation at the level of instruction, assessment, organizational design and policy systems, Ulcca has addressed audiences at conferences including World EduLead, SxSW Education and Aurora Institute’s annual forum, and is a two-time TEDx speaker. Her new book, The Future of Smart, was released in September 2021. The book traces the deep roots of America’s dominant approach to education, illuminates why so many reform and innovation efforts over the last three decades have fallen short of our aspirations for children and proposes a path forward.
Ulcca holds a BA in Philosophy and German from Drew University where she was also licensed as an early childhood/elementary teacher with a focus on special education. She earned her Ph.D. in Education and Philosophy from Oxford University and a JD from Harvard Law School. She has been recognized nationally for her work in education as a Harry S. Truman Scholar; a British Marshall Scholar; and a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow. Ulcca and her family are based in Denver, CO where her two sons attend Denver Public Schools.
Ulcca began her career as an elementary school teacher in Newark Public Schools. She then spent two years as a Program Fellow at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, where she had her first experience of the power of philanthropy to convene thought leaders, support community-based organizations and influence policy systems. Over the last twenty years she has gained experience across the non-profit, public, and philanthropic sectors, in the US and abroad, leading programs, conducting research and crafting policy. She has worked with educators, students, communities, business and civic leaders to support developmentally-aligned, human-centered learning experiences that unlock the unique potential of individual learners regardless of their background, circumstances, cognitive or physical differences. She is especially committed to bringing a racial justice and equity lens to the expansion of this educational approach.
In her most recent roles as Chief Strategy Officer at Boundless and Vice President at Education Reimagined, she built partnerships between schools, districts, non-profits and higher education institutions committed to expanding access to relationship-based, relevant and real-world learning experiences in the PK-12 and post-secondary spaces. As Vice President of the Public Education and Business Coalition she expanded the Colorado Teacher Residency to become the first residency-based preparation program in the country to serve both urban and rural districts. She also redesigned the residency curriculum, grounding new teachers in the fields of learning science, human development and human well-being.
An internationally-recognized expert on educational transformation at the level of instruction, assessment, organizational design and policy systems, Ulcca has addressed audiences at conferences including World EduLead, SxSW Education and Aurora Institute’s annual forum, and is a two-time TEDx speaker. Her new book, The Future of Smart, was released in September 2021. The book traces the deep roots of America’s dominant approach to education, illuminates why so many reform and innovation efforts over the last three decades have fallen short of our aspirations for children and proposes a path forward.
Ulcca holds a BA in Philosophy and German from Drew University where she was also licensed as an early childhood/elementary teacher with a focus on special education. She earned her Ph.D. in Education and Philosophy from Oxford University and a JD from Harvard Law School. She has been recognized nationally for her work in education as a Harry S. Truman Scholar; a British Marshall Scholar; and a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow. Ulcca and her family are based in Denver, CO where her two sons attend Denver Public Schools.
Where Children Both Grow & Lead.
AERO's goal is to advance student-driven, learner-centered approaches to education. AERO is the primary hub of communications and support for educational alternatives around the world. One of AERO's areas of expertise is democratic process and democratic education, but equally important is the networking of all forms of educational alternatives. Towards this end, AERO provides information, resources and guidance to families, schools and organizations regarding their educational choices. AERO disseminates information internationally on topics such as: homeschooling, public and private alternative schools, and charter schools.
Workshops
Safannia Wright
Creating Revolutionary Change - Gen Z is a generation of activists, change agents, social entrepreneurs and more! In this workshop, we will discuss how youth can use their talents, gifts, passions, and network to create the change they want to see in this world. We will also take a look at youth founded projects and organizations that are making revolutionary change.
****SPEAKER BIO****
Safannia Wright is the Social Media Coordinator for Black Girl Talk as well as an activist in Maternal Mortality among Black Women in Human Rights. She has been creating a safe, interactive space for the enterprise on social media starting in late 2020 with a goal to build community, empowerment, and connection. Outside of that, Safannia works to become an advocate in healthcare by engaging in public health. Stuck in the house all day in May of 2020 allowed her to see that COVID-19 disproportionately affected low-income and predominantly black neighborhoods such as her own. In response to that and the uprise in racial injustices, she participated in Mount Sinai’s Racial Justice & Public Health Program where she learned about racial disparities in healthcare. Here, Safannia was angered and moved by one specific racial disparity: the Maternal Mortality Health Crisis among Black women. This influenced her to create brochures on the issue, which provided alternative healthcare options and alarming statistics in New York City. These were later distributed in her community. With her many works in social justice, Safannia hopes to continue to engage in these matters as she studies to be a nurse with the goal to advocate for the vulnerable. She will continue her studies as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in nursing and minoring in Global Health.
****SPEAKER BIO****
Safannia Wright is the Social Media Coordinator for Black Girl Talk as well as an activist in Maternal Mortality among Black Women in Human Rights. She has been creating a safe, interactive space for the enterprise on social media starting in late 2020 with a goal to build community, empowerment, and connection. Outside of that, Safannia works to become an advocate in healthcare by engaging in public health. Stuck in the house all day in May of 2020 allowed her to see that COVID-19 disproportionately affected low-income and predominantly black neighborhoods such as her own. In response to that and the uprise in racial injustices, she participated in Mount Sinai’s Racial Justice & Public Health Program where she learned about racial disparities in healthcare. Here, Safannia was angered and moved by one specific racial disparity: the Maternal Mortality Health Crisis among Black women. This influenced her to create brochures on the issue, which provided alternative healthcare options and alarming statistics in New York City. These were later distributed in her community. With her many works in social justice, Safannia hopes to continue to engage in these matters as she studies to be a nurse with the goal to advocate for the vulnerable. She will continue her studies as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in nursing and minoring in Global Health.
Kathy Magnusson & Monica Cochran
Trainer, coach, and speaker Kathy Magnusson, M. Ed. believes learning is an adventure. She has over 25 years of working with youth in various formal and informal settings. As the owner of Wildewood Learning, Kathy develops tailor-made professional development opportunities for educators and youth professionals that will support them in designing trauma-sensitive strength-based learning environments for their learners.
Kathy is a licensed middle and high school teacher and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. Additional credentials include certification in adverse childhood experiences, creating trauma-sensitive resilience schools, non-violent communication, and strengths-based education and leadership. Kathy believes educators and youth professionals need to develop their own social and emotional learning skills to create meaningful relationships with learners, creating a ripple effect that changes the process of learning for all.
Monica Cochran, M.Ed has worked with children, parents, and other adults in a wide variety of educational, hospital, and business settings for over 40 years. She has been active in alternative education since 1978, home-educated two of her own children, and has worked with other home educating and distance learning families since 1997. She has vast experience in helping learners of all ages and abilities enjoy learning. She especially enjoys helping learners who have both unique talents and unique challenges develop their strengths and create learning experiences that work for them. Currently, Monica works with learners and their families around the world through her private practice, Learning Without Borders.
Monica earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in a multi-disciplinary program in child development, social work, and early childhood education and a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in special education with certifications in learning disabilities and emotional impairment. She also earned a Primary Montessori Certification from the American Montessori Society and is an Advanced DIR practitioner. Since 1997, following her youngest son’s auto accident, she has also been active in supporting survivors of brain injuries and learners with other health and developmental issues, as they redesign their lives.
Kathy is a licensed middle and high school teacher and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. Additional credentials include certification in adverse childhood experiences, creating trauma-sensitive resilience schools, non-violent communication, and strengths-based education and leadership. Kathy believes educators and youth professionals need to develop their own social and emotional learning skills to create meaningful relationships with learners, creating a ripple effect that changes the process of learning for all.
Monica Cochran, M.Ed has worked with children, parents, and other adults in a wide variety of educational, hospital, and business settings for over 40 years. She has been active in alternative education since 1978, home-educated two of her own children, and has worked with other home educating and distance learning families since 1997. She has vast experience in helping learners of all ages and abilities enjoy learning. She especially enjoys helping learners who have both unique talents and unique challenges develop their strengths and create learning experiences that work for them. Currently, Monica works with learners and their families around the world through her private practice, Learning Without Borders.
Monica earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in a multi-disciplinary program in child development, social work, and early childhood education and a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in special education with certifications in learning disabilities and emotional impairment. She also earned a Primary Montessori Certification from the American Montessori Society and is an Advanced DIR practitioner. Since 1997, following her youngest son’s auto accident, she has also been active in supporting survivors of brain injuries and learners with other health and developmental issues, as they redesign their lives.
Gina Riley
Gina Riley, Ph.D. is a Clinical Professor and Program Leader of the Adolescent Special Education Program at CUNY Hunter College. She is internationally known for her research on homeschooling, unschooling, and intrinsic motivation in education. She is the author of Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond the Classroom (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020) and The Homeschooling Starter Guide (Rockridge Press, 2021).
Peter Gray
Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College, has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook, now in its eighth edition, which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. Much of his research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Releasing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine.
Kevin Currie Knight
Kevin Currie-Knight is a Teaching Associate Professor in East Carolina University's College of Education. Much of his research is devoted to alternatives to public schooling and self-direction in education. He's the author of the book Education in the Marketplace, and is working on an edited collection of anarchist essays about education.
Amanda Cottrell
I am a teacher, author illustrator, yoga and mindfulness advocate. I believe we are all infinitely creative and that our success is inevitable when we step in our our creative power. When people follow their calling and become unapologetically themselves there is no stopping what they can accomplish and who they can uplift along the way.
Cathleen McCaffery
Cathleen McCaffery is a college admissions counselor and coach who works with creative, quirky change makers, helping them pave their own way to college. She's worked with thousands of students around the world and helped them get into great colleges with millions in scholarships. You can learn more about Cathleen and her unique approach to college admissions through her podcast, The Bold Student or on Instagram or TikTok @lifeandcollegecoach.
Ashley Nielsen
Stephanie Sewell
Stephanie helps families whose child or teen is not thriving to find and navigate a new education path (or tweak an existing one!), either in school or outside of school.
Her formal title is Independent Education Consultant. What stands out about Stephanie's work is her heart-based, well-being focused approach, and her ability to build supportive relationships with both parents and their kids/ teens. This means that young people are able to find their way back towards their innate love of learning and their inherent ability to self direct their learning. Along the way, Stephanie also provides support and resources to their parents so that they have the knowledge and confidence to travel this path as well.
Stephanie lives with her family in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec, right on the border with Ontario. Her personal home/unschooling experience is based in these two provinces; professionally she supports families around the world.
Her formal title is Independent Education Consultant. What stands out about Stephanie's work is her heart-based, well-being focused approach, and her ability to build supportive relationships with both parents and their kids/ teens. This means that young people are able to find their way back towards their innate love of learning and their inherent ability to self direct their learning. Along the way, Stephanie also provides support and resources to their parents so that they have the knowledge and confidence to travel this path as well.
Stephanie lives with her family in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec, right on the border with Ontario. Her personal home/unschooling experience is based in these two provinces; professionally she supports families around the world.
Ymorah Blackeney
Ymorah Blakeney is the founder and director of Black Girls Talk, a social enterprise that provides a safe space and youth development resources for Black girls ages 14 to 18. She founded the social enterprise as a club when she was a high school freshman to provide a safe space for the Black female students, staff, and faculty at her school. Since then, Black Girls Talk has grown to serve 30 young Black women annually and continues to engage its members in discussions about social issues impacting them. In 2020, Ymorah launched a guest speaker series to provide members with the opportunity to meet and network with Black female professionals who have careers in business, entrepreneurship, activism, and STEM. Black Girls Talk has hosted Beatrice Dixon, founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company; Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista; Patrina Dixon, founder and CEO of It’s My Money; and others.
Ymorah also serves as the project manager on the Social Engagement and Programming Committee of the Black Lives Matter Task Force at Bard High School Early College Queens. She is passionate about hosting events that uplift and celebrate Black culture, people, and history. For the past four years, Ymorah has organized the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. During this event, she has hosted 20 guest speakers including Rachel Rodgers, Sulma Arzu-Brown, and Wesley Caines, and organized 90 workshops.
Since 2019, Ymorah has spoken at The Schomburg Center, Intrepid Museum, The People’s Forum, The AERO Conference, and other organizations and events. She seeks to continue using her voice, knowledge, and resources to uplift and support other young Black women.
Ymorah also serves as the project manager on the Social Engagement and Programming Committee of the Black Lives Matter Task Force at Bard High School Early College Queens. She is passionate about hosting events that uplift and celebrate Black culture, people, and history. For the past four years, Ymorah has organized the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. During this event, she has hosted 20 guest speakers including Rachel Rodgers, Sulma Arzu-Brown, and Wesley Caines, and organized 90 workshops.
Since 2019, Ymorah has spoken at The Schomburg Center, Intrepid Museum, The People’s Forum, The AERO Conference, and other organizations and events. She seeks to continue using her voice, knowledge, and resources to uplift and support other young Black women.
Hope Wilder
Hope Wilder is the author of "Let's Decide Together: Practicing Sociocracy with Children." She is the founder of Pathfinder Community School, which used sociocracy as governance with staff, parents, and members for 2 years before closing due to covid-19. She is currently the Schools and Sociocracy Program Manager at Sociocracy for All.
Laurel Tien
Laurel Tien is a co-editor of the Holistic Education Review journal.
Katryna Alexis
Katryna Alexis is a high school junior in New York City. She has been with Black Girls Talk since freshman year and has moved up since then to the advisory board. She previously co-managed the social media account but now works on the weekly email newsletter and assists in coordinating organization activities. In regards to the future, she is leaning towards business and STEM careers.
Raheen Fatima
Je'anna Clements
Je'anna L Clements is an advocate for young people's rights, a writer, a mother of a teen and a tween who have both self-educated since birth in a neurdiverse family. She is a founding member and key facilitator of Riverstone Village, Africa's first Sudbury-inspired learning community. She writes articles and e-books on alternative education including What If School Creates DYSlexia?, Help! My Kid Hates School!, and the Helping The Butterfly Hatch series of books on Self-Directed Education facilitation: Book One - How Does Self-Directed Education Work, and Why? and Book Two - How Can We Best Support Young People In SDE? She specialises in supporting parents and facilitators in optimising Self-Directed Education settings and family practices for Pathological Demand Avoidance.
April Huard
April Huard is the Director of Education at Clonlara School, an alternative private school in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She works with Clonlara's Global Learning Community to provide personalized, self-directed educational experiences for over 2,000 students. April started her education career in the public school, transitioned to homeschooling her own five children, and has now found her true home in alternative education.
More Speakers Coming Soon!
More Speakers Coming Soon!
More Speakers Coming Soon!
More Speakers Coming Soon!
Mini-Talks
John Wall
John Wall is Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Childhood Studies, as well as Director of the Childism Institute, at Rutgers University Camden. He is a theoretical ethicist who is author or editor of nine books and numerous articles and chapters on political philosophy, post-structuralism, children’s rights, childism, and childhood studies theory. He also co-founded the Children’s Voting Colloquium, an international organization of scholars and activists dedicated to eliminating all voting ages.
Moses Ssekyanzi & Mariam Natasha
Moses & Mariam are the founders of Star Hands Organisation, a
non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and strive for a change.
non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and strive for a change.
Ssanyu Lukoma
Ssanyu Lukoma is a teenage entrepreneur, author, and public speaker.
In 2018, at 13 years old, she founded Brown Kids Read, a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating all children, but especially children of color, to read more diverse literature.
Since then, she has created an online and pop-up bookstore called The Brown Reads Bookshelf and hosts a podcast called The Book Junkie. Most recently, she wrote a children’s picture book entitled Suubi's Sunny Smile through a publishing company she founded, Share a Smile Books.
Suubi's Sunny Smile comprises prominent heritage and dental hygiene themes, but most importantly, has a vital anti-bullying message. She was compelled to write a story featuring Suubi, a main character of color, whose inspiring journey will show young readers that what makes us unique, can be our greatest strength. Ssanyu is now in the process of publishing her next book -- Chi-Chi's Toothy Grin!
Additionally, She is a junior broadcaster and Junior Advisory Board Member for KiDz HuB Media Network, a member of the Homeschool National Honor Society, and she has been playing basketball for seven years.
She has also presented to corporations including Flywire and JPMorgan Chase about Teenage entrepreneurship, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Additionally, she presents goal-setting workshops for public high school students along with other workshops to help them stay motivated.
Her ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate others to leave a positive impact on the world!
In 2018, at 13 years old, she founded Brown Kids Read, a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating all children, but especially children of color, to read more diverse literature.
Since then, she has created an online and pop-up bookstore called The Brown Reads Bookshelf and hosts a podcast called The Book Junkie. Most recently, she wrote a children’s picture book entitled Suubi's Sunny Smile through a publishing company she founded, Share a Smile Books.
Suubi's Sunny Smile comprises prominent heritage and dental hygiene themes, but most importantly, has a vital anti-bullying message. She was compelled to write a story featuring Suubi, a main character of color, whose inspiring journey will show young readers that what makes us unique, can be our greatest strength. Ssanyu is now in the process of publishing her next book -- Chi-Chi's Toothy Grin!
Additionally, She is a junior broadcaster and Junior Advisory Board Member for KiDz HuB Media Network, a member of the Homeschool National Honor Society, and she has been playing basketball for seven years.
She has also presented to corporations including Flywire and JPMorgan Chase about Teenage entrepreneurship, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Additionally, she presents goal-setting workshops for public high school students along with other workshops to help them stay motivated.
Her ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate others to leave a positive impact on the world!
Zakia Irfan
Zakia Irfan - is 16 years old and is an 11th grader at Colonel By Secondary School. She is an honour roll student and loves to read, write, and draw. She is a writer for the Hands on Health magazine and is immersed in medicine, collaborating with the PreMed Scene Journal Club. She was awarded the 2022 Orleans Outstanding Youth Awards presented by the Orleans Star Newspaper for achievements in academics and extracurriculars. She has authored two books, having designed the cover of and co-authoring an anthology of short-stories and original poems, entitled A Time to Fly. She also loves to play the piano, winning a bronze medal in the Ottawa Piano Festival in April 2021.
Moses-Ssekyanzi
Moses & Mariam are the founders of Star Hands Organisation, a
non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and strive for a change.
non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and strive for a change.
Mariam Natasha
Moses & Mariam are the founders of Star Hands Organisation, a
non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and
strive for a change.
non-profit Organisation dedicated to addressing the most problems affecting youths especially
girls living in Uganda. Such problems include lack of Girl Child Education, Poor Menstrual
Hygiene Management, Gender Inequalities, poverty and among other problems.
Moses was raised in rural areas of Uganda (Rakai District), attended primary and secondary
school from the same area and then finally moved to Kampala the capital city of Uganda to
pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance). Moses is
currently a student from Cavendish University Uganda.
Mariam was raised from Central Uganda, Hoima District studied her elementary/primary school
from the same area and moved to Mukono District for her Ordinary Secondary School Level of
Education. Mariam is currently an O’Level Secondary graduate. And she wishes to study further
in case of any opportunity.
Mariam and Moses have participated in so many community programs and volunteered with so
many Non-Profit Organizations and impacted over 2,000 people in Uganda.
During their work as volunteers, they accessed invaluable experiences and knowledge and
they want to see more Ugandan youths exposed to the same opportunity. There is a great
population of crime, social and economic issues in Uganda; many minority youth are
incarcerated or victims of the poor or lack of proper menstrual hygiene management, poverty
and lack of Education in Uganda. With our own personal encounter with life’s unfortunate
circumstances and understanding the importance of education it is our desire to take part and
strive for a change.
Jay Bates
Jay is a 17 year old high schooler in Utah. They work with local charities, clubs, organizations, pride centers and do protests & walkouts to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone in Utah.
Addie Lentzner
Addie Lentzner (she/her) is a high school senior from Bennington, Vermont. She founded the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network and the End Homelessness Vermont Coalition, helped to organize the AEROx Youth Rights Day Conference, and is passionate about uplifting youth voices for social change.
Apoorva Panidapu
Apoorva is a young mathematician, artist, social entrepreneur, writer, and advocate for youth in STEAM, pushing against the discrimination she and many others face for being a girl in math. She has written and co-authored several research publications, working alongside world-renowned mathematicians. She is a 2021 Davidson Fellow Laureate, a 2020 Global Child Prodigy, a World Science Scholar, and a winner of the Templeton Spirit of Ramanujan Fellowship. Apoorva created her column, Gems in STEM, to welcome everyone to STEM in an accessible way. She reaches over 65,000 people through published newspapers and Medium, and won the 2021 Strogatz Prize for Math Communication due to her column's considerable global impact. Apoorva is also the founder of Apoorva’s Art Gallery, an online platform to raise funds for underserved children and to advocate for social reform. She has raised over $45,000 for charity with her art and teaching, receiving the 2021 Diana Award and five President's Volunteer Service awards in recognition of her service. Apoorva is a keynote speaker who has spoken nationally and globally at various STEM and leadership events, partnering with companies like Microsoft, Ebay, and Cisco, about gender bias in early education, her research, and her journey in STEM, entrepreneurship, and service–encouraging youth to pursue their passions fearlessly. Through her teaching, art, public speaking, and writing, she strives to create a world where women and gender minorities in STEM are treated equitably.
Ymorah Blackeney
Ymorah Blakeney is the founder and director of Black Girls Talk, a social enterprise that provides a safe space and youth development resources for Black girls ages 14 to 18. She founded the social enterprise as a club when she was a high school freshman to provide a safe space for the Black female students, staff, and faculty at her school. Since then, Black Girls Talk has grown to serve 30 young Black women annually and continues to engage its members in discussions about social issues impacting them. In 2020, Ymorah launched a guest speaker series to provide members with the opportunity to meet and network with Black female professionals who have careers in business, entrepreneurship, activism, and STEM. Black Girls Talk has hosted Beatrice Dixon, founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company; Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista; Patrina Dixon, founder and CEO of It’s My Money; and others.
Ymorah also serves as the project manager on the Social Engagement and Programming Committee of the Black Lives Matter Task Force at Bard High School Early College Queens. She is passionate about hosting events that uplift and celebrate Black culture, people, and history. For the past four years, Ymorah has organized the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. During this event, she has hosted 20 guest speakers including Rachel Rodgers, Sulma Arzu-Brown, and Wesley Caines, and organized 90 workshops.
Since 2019, Ymorah has spoken at The Schomburg Center, Intrepid Museum, The People’s Forum, The AERO Conference, and other organizations and events. She seeks to continue using her voice, knowledge, and resources to uplift and support other young Black women.
Ymorah also serves as the project manager on the Social Engagement and Programming Committee of the Black Lives Matter Task Force at Bard High School Early College Queens. She is passionate about hosting events that uplift and celebrate Black culture, people, and history. For the past four years, Ymorah has organized the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. During this event, she has hosted 20 guest speakers including Rachel Rodgers, Sulma Arzu-Brown, and Wesley Caines, and organized 90 workshops.
Since 2019, Ymorah has spoken at The Schomburg Center, Intrepid Museum, The People’s Forum, The AERO Conference, and other organizations and events. She seeks to continue using her voice, knowledge, and resources to uplift and support other young Black women.
Ava Mateo
Ava Mateo (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of 18by Vote. She believes deeply in the power of youth and finds it her mission to spread opportunity for meaningful civic engagement among teens and young adults. At 18by Vote, Ava leads an entirely youth-led team in the development and execution of hyper localized youth voter outreach programming. This programming supports paid youth participants in becoming catalysts for civic action within their own communities. With immense passion for sustaining democracy through the American public school system, she is also a Masters Candidate at Columbia University, Teachers College studying Sociology and Education with a concentration in Education Policy. Her current research is focused on the influence of youth-led organizations and youth educational programs on youth participant’s socio-political identity development. Ava is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Class of 2020.
Crystal Widado
Crystal Widado (she/her/hers) is a student journalist, public speaker, and high school junior. After dealing with many personal struggles with suicide and identity in middle school, she became extremely passionate about teen mental health and intersectional approaches to our generation’s conversations surrounding wellness. Crystal has served as the social media facilitator for Mind Out Loud, the co-president of her schools’ NAMI on Campus chapter, the Writing Director of Each Mind, and is a part of the Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup at the California Department of Education.
DAMI BALOGUN
Damilola Hamid Balogun is a passionate youth, thought leader, international development professional with over five years’ hands-on experience in advisory service provision, collaborative research, youth-led advocacy, facilitation of participatory processes and a track record of meaningful impact in youth, communities and institutions inclusion in sustainable development affairs.
Exceptional communication skills evidenced by several features on television and radio stations in Nigeria and Africa such as Silverbird TV, Television Continental, PlusTv Africa, Channels TV amongst others and international speaking roles in several international conferences speaking on issues of Sustainable Development Leadership, Youth Development and inspiring real-life action and impact.
Damilola is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sustainable Development
Network, a network that works with change-makers and youth across the globe to foster an enabling environment that will lead to a more sustainable and resilient future by 2030. Since its existence, the YSDN has been able to impact 1500 youths across 25 countries through its workshops, training and summits. In 2021, in a bid to put youth at the center of meaningful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the YSDN launched the Solar Irrigation Project to support farmers to have access to knowledge on irrigation and irrigation management as well as equipment that can support them to practice all year production.
In October 2021, Damilola also participated at the biggest United Nations Climate Change Conference- the Conference of Parties 26 (COP) in Glasgow, United Kingdom. During the conference, he was featured on a panel session led by Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, to showcase youth from Global South pushing towards the agenda of the future we want.
Exceptional communication skills evidenced by several features on television and radio stations in Nigeria and Africa such as Silverbird TV, Television Continental, PlusTv Africa, Channels TV amongst others and international speaking roles in several international conferences speaking on issues of Sustainable Development Leadership, Youth Development and inspiring real-life action and impact.
Damilola is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sustainable Development
Network, a network that works with change-makers and youth across the globe to foster an enabling environment that will lead to a more sustainable and resilient future by 2030. Since its existence, the YSDN has been able to impact 1500 youths across 25 countries through its workshops, training and summits. In 2021, in a bid to put youth at the center of meaningful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the YSDN launched the Solar Irrigation Project to support farmers to have access to knowledge on irrigation and irrigation management as well as equipment that can support them to practice all year production.
In October 2021, Damilola also participated at the biggest United Nations Climate Change Conference- the Conference of Parties 26 (COP) in Glasgow, United Kingdom. During the conference, he was featured on a panel session led by Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, to showcase youth from Global South pushing towards the agenda of the future we want.
Kylah Avery
My name is Kylah (she,her) and I’m a 17 junior in a public high school.
More Speakers Coming Soon!
Panelists
More Speakers Coming Soon!
More Speakers Coming Soon!
More Speakers Coming Soon!
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