[MCN] Diversity Day 2019

[Info EmpowerMT]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empower Montana’s 10th Annual Diversity Day and Spring Giving Campaign

Press Contact:

Heidi Wallace: Executive Director

406-274-0810

heidi at empowermt.org

Missoula, MT- On April 12th 2010, Empower Montana’s youth leaders were
instrumental in helping to extend protection against discrimination to
LGBTQ community members under Missoula’s Non-Discrimation Ordinance. Since
then, the second Saturday in April has been declared Diversity Day to
commemorate that youth led victory, honor the impact of youth engagement,
and celebrate Missoula’s enriching diversity.

The 10th Annual Diversity Day  will be held at the Missoula Art Museum on
Saturday, April 13th from 5:30-7:30pm. Local youth from Empower Montana’s
middle school after school programs, EPIC (Empowering People Inspiring
Change), Youth Forward, Be You Crew, CS Porter GSA, and Big Sky High School
GSA (Empower Montana’s LGBTQ+ youth groups), as well as Big Sky High
School’s student action committee will be presenting a community art
project themed “Let Me Be”. Parents and oftentimes society discourage young
people from being who or what they want to be. This project allows the
students to dismantle the stigma and shame surrounding some of the
identities that they hold and reclaim their autonomy. In addition to the
“Let Me Be” projects, EmpowerMT will be presenting the first ever “Youth
Lead Now Awards.” EmpowerMT has identified young people around the state of
Montana who are using their leadership to inspire change in their
communities. These youth will be presented the award and offered the
opportunity to speak about the change they are creating in their
communities.

Spencer Czech, Empower Montana’s Youth Programs Specialist offered this
reflection on Diversity Day.  "I think Diversity Day is awesome because
it's not only a celebration of human differences, but also an opportunity
for young people to use their voices, feel validated in their beliefs and
gain confidence as leaders.”

Diversity Day 2019 will kick off Empower Montana’s Spring Giving Campaign.
Each week from April 13th through May 2nd, Empower Montana will be
celebrating 20 years of change-making as an organization. Throughout this
time, we will show gratitude to the many volunteers, board members, staff
members, sponsors, and community relationships, while celebrating all that
they have helped us accomplish.


EmpowerMT creates a more just and inclusive society by developing youth and
adult leaders who work to end mistreatment, correct systemic inequalities
and strengthen communities across Montana.


-- 
2300 Regent St. Suite #101
Missoula, MT 59801
406-541-6891
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