Join us on April 9th from 2 PM-4 PM
at The Zootown Arts Community Center!
A History:
Empowering youth leadership is central to the mission of EmpowerMT. On April 12, 2010, Missoula’s city council passed a non-discrimination ordinance protecting community members from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. EPIC, EmpowerMT’s afterschool leadership development program for 4th-8th grade students, played a crucial role in passing the ordinance. This group proposed an annual day of celebration and recognition of all that makes Garden City vibrant and unique. The city officially proclaimed Diversity Day. On the second Saturday of April, hundreds of Missoulians come together to show their commitment to making our city inclusive and welcoming for all.
Diversity Day offers a unique experience for local young people to get involved and have a voice in every facet of the event – visioning, planning, coordinating, and performing. Each year features an eclectic mix of youth talent and performances ranging from song, dance, video, spoken word, and a headliner, all-around a “Diverse City” theme.
To nominate youth performers, please email our Youth Programs staff at Youth@empowermt.org.
This annual celebration is every April and is always a free, family-friendly event. We hope to see you there!
Youth Lead Now awards:
In 2019, we created the Youth Lead Now Awards to celebrate Youth leadership and activism in Montana. The power of youth leadership is essential in creating positive change. Since 1998, EmpoweMT has seen young leaders transform their schools and communities, including creating Diversity Day! Montana is full of powerful youth-led action that deserves to be celebrated. EmpowerMT and our Youth Advisory Council are always inspired to honor some of these youth leaders at Diversity Day.
We are always moved by our awardees’ hard work who create ripples of change without expectations of recognition or awards. We also want to recognize all the youth leaders making strides big and small to create a more safe and inclusive future across Montana.
Donations & Sponsorships:
This year marks the 13th year that Missoula has had a community celebration honoring youth leadership and the passing of the nondiscrimination ordinance. Your donation or sponsorship ensures the continued support of EmpowerMT’s youth programs and helps us empower more youth across Montana. Donations and sponsorships also support the important time of community members, youth leaders, and EmpowerMT staff to organize and coordinate the event. If you’re interested in sponsoring Diversity Day, contact Brooke Corr at brooke@empowermt.org.
- To donate, please follow this link: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/fmC3NdUrFHHD5S_MP5TZxg
- You can sponsor the event or a youth leader here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/pgaVLPK_YOIMlT7nb95Sew
Resources to explore:
Here Wee Read,
25 Wonderful Children’s Books That Celebrate Diversity,
22 Diverse Book Choices for All Grade Levels,
11 Contemporary Diverse Novels for Middle-Grade Readers,
21 Books That Should Be On Every High School Curriculum,
The Conscious Kid:
EmpowerMT youth & staff recommendations,
Books:
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
- Red Parka Mary by Peter Eyvindson
- The Oldest Student by Rita L. Hubbard
- We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
- Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: books for children and young adults
- 31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance
Podcasts:
- Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt’
- Fare of the Free Child podcast
- Integrated Schools podcast episode “Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey.”
Articles:
- How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race | NPR
- Teaching Your Child About Black History Month | PBS
- Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup from Pretty Good.
This annual celebration is every April and is always a free, family-friendly event. We hope to see you there!