Sat.9.12.20

The Foster Youth/Former Foster Youth Transfer Experience Webinar

AGENDA

SESSION1: 10 AM-12 Noon

10 AM Registration

10:30 Welcome & Introductions

10:50 Keynote: Christian D. Green

11:20 Keynote Q&A

11:25 Group Activity

BREAK 12 Noon- 2 PM

(OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES)

Kahoot / Virtual music experience

SESSION 2: 2-3:30 PM

2 PM Students Return to Zoom

2:05 Panel: Juan Bran-Gudiel, Tanisha Saunders, Elizabeth Prudente, Belen Curiel

3 Panel Q&A

3:10 Raffle/Closing/Positive Affirmation

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Christian D. Green

Born in a prison cell to an incarcerated mother and a father unknown, Christian D. Green has overcome many obstacles rare, atypical and uncommon to others.

Christian David Green is a first generation, former foster youth, non-traditional student from the Antelope Valley, specifically Lancaster, California. Christian graduated spring 2016 from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies. And then Graduated with M.A. in African American Studies spring 2018

Throughout his educational career and after graduating high school in 2004 he attended five different community colleges from all over California. He received his Associate of Arts in Psychology from Mt. SAC in 2014, while also traveling internationally and nationally competing on their Award winning Speech and Debate Championship Team.

Currently he is an adjunct professor in the Los Angeles Community College District, Pasadena City College District, UCLA and CSU Dominguez Hills. He teaches Ethnic Studies, African American History and Sociology. Along with teaching his most prized and humbling experience is that he serves as an a Youth and Young Adult Pastor in Lancaster CA at Living Faith Cathedral COGIC since 2013 where he has lead and helped over 500+ youth and young adults from all walks of life. He also serves on a regional and national level as Jurisdictional Youth President since 2016 for more than 2000+ youth and young adults.

He just released his book Uncovering Your Worth: From Legal Custody to UCLA February 2019 and has already sold over 1000 copies all over the country. He is looking to speak at various community colleges, universities and non profits all over the country to empower and inspire the hopeless and the forgotten.

https://www.christiandgreen.com/about

PANELISTS

Elizabeth Prudente

East Los Angeles CollegeUCLA Class of 2020Majored in Political Science

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Prudente. I was raised in the city of Alhambra and eventually moved to the city of Rosemead. I attended schools such as Emery Park Elementary, Northrup Elementary, Macy Intermediate, Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School, Alhambra High School, and Options for Youth. Growing up as a former foster youth, I felt that oftentimes high school teachers and counselors discouraged from pursuing higher education and encouraged me to pursue a certificate program. In 2014, I enrolled in East Los Angeles College and ended up dropping out after a month. I came back in 2015 with the support of my parents and by 2017 to UCLA. I recently graduated from UCLA with a major in Political Science and a minor in Labor Studies. Thanks to CCCP, I was exposed to resources, support programs, and a community for students like me.

Tanisha Saunders

Los Angeles Pierce College CSU Dominguez Hills Class of 2018Majored in Childhood Development

Tanisha Saunders is a passionate activist who has overcome many facets of adversity such as foster care, homelessness and gun violence. She is a community advocate who uses her skills to empower others while advocating locally, state-wide and nationally around issues that are close to her heart. She is dedicated to using her voice to bring about change in her community, as well as throughout the education, justice and child welfare system. She has experience in student leadership , community activism/organizing and advocacy. Tanisha has completed public policy fellowships in Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority. She has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Teen Vogue and Spectrum News: In Focus. Tanisha currently works in a transitional housing program for TAY experiencing homelessness and serves as a Foster Youth Voice Representative for the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Juan Bran-Gudiel

Los Angeles Valley CollegeUC Santa Barbara Major: Chicano/a StudiesMinor: Liberal studies or education

Hello my name is Juan Bran-Gudiel. I was raised all over LA county as I was part of the Department of Children and Family services and had to move about 15 times. I am a Non-Traditional Former Foster Youth, Formerly Incarcerated, Guardian Scholar, Underground Scholar, EOP Scholar and a parent to two beautiful kids. Education wasn't for me when I was younger yet I found a home at Los Angeles Valley College where I received my AA-T in Sociology. Thanks to CCCP and EOPS I applied to 13 different universities and got accepted to 10 of them. I ultimately decided to transfer to the University of California, Santa Barbara where I have switched my major to Chicana/o Studies and will be minoring in either Liberal Studies or in Education. I recently got hired by UC Santa Barbara to be in charge of doing research for the Underground Scholars Behind the Wall Project.