Black officers will talk about their walk in life and how they got to where they are now. They will also talk about what it is like being black in law enforcement and have an open discussion. 

Presenters: We are the Black Officer Coalition for the Madison Police Department. We work within our communities to bridge the gap between the black community and the officers that works for our department. We host events, as well as attend events and meet with the Black Student Union at the High Schools. 

Story of perseverance, resilience, accountability, and self reflection. Defying odds stacked up against myself as well as taking proper steps to build myself up.

Presenter Bio: Jamaal Eubanks is an educator, Father and the founder of Eubanks Solutions, a company offering a wide variety of programming aimed at serving marginalized and traditionally underserved communities across Dane County.

He is a Madison native who grew up on the South Side of the city, an area that continues to hold special value in his heart. He looks to give back to his community through mentoring, coaching and being a role model for success for young people, especially young men of color.  

As a transracial, transnational adoptee, my identity was formed by the deep desire to please and “fit in” within the classrooms of rural Tennessee. All I wanted was to be “normal” which really meant being a person my name and physical appearance would betray. When I felt I had sufficiently accomplished my façade, others would remind me of my true status. The pandemic introduced me to seven young men that would help me accept my Korean culture.

Presenter Bio: Adopted in 1968, Rosita González is a transracial, Korean-American, Holt International adoptee. Her road has been speckled with Puerto Rican and Appalachian relatives. While quite content with her role as a “Tennerican,” she has discovered that her children, the second generation of adoptees, have inherited her racial ambivalence. As a result, Rosita returned to Korea in August 2014 and makes trips each year to relax in anonymity. She spends her time as an art educator, ceramicist, and performance artist and is passionate about issues of race, gender, and adoption. Find her on YouTube as The Korean Hillbilly and on her podcast, “Bless Yer Lil’ Ol’ Heart.”

Learn 7 (key) life skills to be a well rounded person (in and outside of school). Career exploration (Employee, Entrepreneurship & Trades). Turn your passion into paper (Money).

Presenter Bio: Antoine McNeail was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He moved to Madison, WI in 1999 to study Political Science at the University of Madison Wisconsin; earning his bachelor's degree in 2004. Antoine worked in the Health care & Medical billing industry for almost 15 years. He is a Father of 3. Mr. McNeail is a man of many hats. He is a comedy show producer, empowerment speaker, business consultant, entrepreneur and has been a comedian for almost 10 years. Antoine McNeail also works to educate youth about leadership, life skills, public speaking, fatherhood & community engagement. He can also be heard on W.O.R.T 89.9 FM on Tuesday mornings at 8am. Antoine has helped to create & host 1Motion Out Reach Enterprise, Stop The Violence Movement - Madison, Comedy & Poetry Jam BY 1Motion Out Reach Enterprise, African Connection, Annual sock & gloves collection for the homeless and more. 

Learn about the significance of the field of social work and its contributions to addressing inequities in housing, addictions, mental illness and structural racism. The presenter will share her path from being a failing high school student to now serving on a national initiative. 

Presenter Bio: Rachel was raised by a Jewish family in the south who was very involved in the civil rights movement. Her mom was the only white plaintiff involved in desegregating the Louisville, KY school system and she spent much of her childhood at marches and protests. She became a Social Worker and has worked in the area of addressing homelessness, substance use and mental health for 30 years. Rachel also serves as the Associate Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations' Systems Alignment Innovation Hub (SAIH) co-leading a national team that is supporting racially marginalized community organizations to dismantle inequities through public health, medical and social services research that elevates culturally responsive and inclusive practices. 

Uncover your strength within at 'Resilience Revealed'— Discover the power of resilience while exploring the dynamics of racism, restorative justice, mental health, housing challenges, and the transformative influence of equity. Join us for an interactive conversation led by Myesha Thompson, who has and continues to conqueror life challenges and will share insights to help amplify your voice and resilience in today's ever-changing world. 

Presenter Bio: Myesha Thompson, a driven Chicago native, is a trailblazer in finance, government, all things life skills, advocacy, and real estate. Although she was a teen mother, she continuously defies the odds. “I proudly disrupt the status quo. My journey is a testament to breaking barriers and redefining norms, continually pushing boundaries to create meaningful change." Stepping into real estate, included building a family home and acquiring an investment property less than a year after the completion of her new construction home. She's a supportive landlord and public servant in Wisconsin, championing equality. Through the creation of a life skills focused based program called the 'Circle of Life Balance,' Myesha empowers individuals towards true self-sufficiency in life skills coaching, housing, health equity, and financial autonomy. Her mission is clear: "Empower, build wealth, and advocate for all, no matter the circumstances." 

High school students, are you ready for a unique workshop experience that combines creativity, inspiration, and relaxation? Join us for an exciting journey where we will explore entrepreneurship through the art of poetry. In this workshop, I'll present some of my poetry that captures the essence of my entrepreneurial journey. Through my poetry, you'll be able to hear about the triumphs of starting and running a business. We’ll discuss why and how I started my company Earthly Temptation.

But that's not all - we'll also incorporate a sound bath session to help you unwind, relax, and connect with your inner self. With soothing sounds from Sound Bowls, you'll be transported to a meditative environment that promotes deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

This workshop is perfect for those interested in exploring the world of entrepreneurship and poetry in a creative and expressive way. So come join us for an afternoon filled with inspiration, reflection, and relaxation. We can't wait to see you there and explore the world of entrepreneurship and sound healing together! 

Presenter bio: Sarah Branch is the proud owner of Earthly Temptation, a company that offers natural, organic, and sustainable products for the mind, body, and soul. Sarah has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and has spent years perfecting her craft. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share when it comes to starting and running a successful business. Her love for poetry and the art of sound healing has also led her to create unique workshops that combine creativity, inspiration, and relaxation. Sarah is a dedicated entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering others to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.

This will be an interactive Krump/Dance workshop with an opportunity to learn how building a positive self-image can help you develop as an individual and as a future community leader. Participants are welcome to join in with the movement/dance being presented but it is not required.

Artist bio: Traviance Witherspoon is a Multifaceted Artist from Racine, WI. She is a Sports Management Major at UW-Parkside who previously was a UW-Madison PEOPLE Program Scholar majoring in African-American Studies with an Arts Emphasis and a Certificate in Dance Movement Therapy. She has recently competed in several Miss America Local competitions where she promotes “Celebrating Yourself: Projecting A Positive Self-Image” which is a state of mind/lifestyle that gives you the tools to become unapologetically you. Traviance started her dance journey in 2000 with Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Praise Dance as her foundation. In 2017 she began training in the dance style of Krump, a South Central Los Angeles originated Street Style dance closely related to HipHop, characterized by its high level of energy, expressive nature and its roots in African American Culture. Through her hard work and dedication towards the craft she became the Leading Lady of the Wisconsin Krump Movement (WIBuck) where she is best known as Buckerfly. She has a love for the community and carries this passion everywhere she goes.

This engaging workshop teaches participants the critical steps to navigating the college application process enlight of the recent SCOTUS descision. Participants learn how to master the college application process, gaining valuable insights on identifying colleges, essay writing, gathering recommendation letters, and mastering online application tools like the Common Application. Participants also learn about financial aid & scholarship applications and best practices for transitioning once admitted. Participants will also learn to engage in pre-college programs that support transition to college.

Presenter bio: Dr. Maame Adomako is an experienced academic and career coach specializing in student development and career advancement. Dr. Adomako received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Over the past ten years, Dr. Adomako has advised students across various educational levels. She is passionate about student development and helping individuals accomplish their career and academic goals. In her current role at as the Undergraduate Program Manager in the School of Educations Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Dr. Adomako manages academic programs that prepare high school students for college and undergraduates for graduate school.

Rep. Francesca Hong will lead a discussion on the important intersection of youth politics and governance. This workshop intends to explore how students and activists can use their identity and lived experience to enact change in their communities and effectively lobby policy makers to act on important issues. 

Speaker bio: Francesca Hong is the representative for the 76th Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

In this workshop, students will explore the history of "Asian blepharoplasty," a phrase used to describe the surgery many Asians receive which gets rid of the monolid. Students will watch videos clips, read articles and hear a lecture on the history of this surgery and its impact on Asian across many different nations. 

Presenter bio: Mai Her is currently an English teacher at West High School. This year she is teaching English 1 and AVID 3. She has always worked towards advocating for Race and Equity issues throughout her life especially raising awareness around Asian American issues. She graduated from UW-Madison with a bachelors in English Literature and a certificate in Asian American Studies, Religious Studies, and European Studies. She continued her education at Edgewood College with a Masters in Secondary English Education. She is also the club advisor for Asian Student Union at West High School. In her free time she likes to spend time outside: gardening, riding her bike, and running around with her two very active sons. 

Where art and activism collide, a workshop to inspire creative thinking and writing while confronting social justice issues and elevating your personal experiences. 

Presenter Bios: 

Ali Muldrow: Parent, Partner, MMSD Board of Education Treasurer, Tuesday host of a Public Affair on WORT 89.9 FM

Mary Swenson: English teacher / educator, Instructional Coach, poetry lover 

The Native American Center for Health Professions presents a fun and interactive opportunity to learn about health professions and health equity through the lens Tribal Communities. Participants have the chance to exercise their new knowledge to win a prize!

Presenters: Breanna Brzezinski, Lina Martin, Tashya Chevalier, Autumn Chevalier 

The Native American Center for Health Professions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison works to enhance the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of health professional students and promote health education. Working with students from 6th grade through residency, our goal is to create a supportive community for students to continue on their educational journey whether it is within the health professions or not.