Join us at the Commonwealth Club for a free, half-day summit as part of United Against Hate Week. At 3 PM PT, Women’s Foundation California will host the panel Youth in Focus: Building Safe Spaces, exploring how we can create supportive environments for young people.
Youth in Focus: Building Safe Spaces
Women’s Foundation California’s Youth Panel will highlight the crucial role of young voices in creating safe spaces. The discussion will focus on how to give young women of color and gender non-conforming youth a platform to tell their stories, drive meaningful change, and impact policy and advocacy. Panelists will provide proactive steps organizations can take to center and involve young folks to craft their movements for the future.
To center and amplify youth voices in discussions about imagining and co-creating safe spaces while exploring how to build the table to include and encourage youth voices and participation: How are we making space for young folks to tell their stories? How do these spaces encourage and inspire deep change, policy-work, action and advocacy? Discuss actionable steps for organizations to better involve youth in their initiatives and opportunities.
Tickets are free, and come in-person for the full slate of speakers, entertainment, and conversations.
Panel:
Summer Leadership Institute Alum
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Khensani Layla Pienaar is a young, driven woman who is passionate about wellness and empowerment. She is deeply reflective, channeling her experiences of vulnerability, family dynamics, and societal pressures into creative outlets. While she has faced challenges in areas like academics and family, she continues to explore her identity and voice, often critiquing systemic inequalities through her work. |
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Maria Blaze is a young change-maker, studying political science with the mission of serving her community. Currently, she is a policy fellow with SIREN Immigrant Rights, where she advocates for policies at a local and state level, organizes Get Out to Vote initiatives within low-income neighborhoods, and collaborates with youth to create meaningful policies that act at the behest of the community. |
Women’s Foundation California
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Donyà Saunders, Sr. Director, Leadership & Training Programs Donyà, a Compton native, discovered her dedication to justice, community, and leadership early on, shaping her career in the nonprofit sector. With extensive experience at Girls Inc., she facilitated programs, coordinated services, and served as Program Director, impacting over 1,000 girls annually. Read More |
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Miyana Evans, Program Manager, Youth Leadership & Trainings, Miyana Evans, a full-time toy poodle mom, was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. She attended UCLA, earning Bachelor’s degrees in African American Studies and Sociology, and minoring in Film and Television. Read More |
Alliance for Girls
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Linda Lu, Co-Executive Director, AFG Linda has 13 years experience in research and evaluation working with local grassroots organizations to national nonprofits. She has extensive experience in research and evaluation design and analysis, strategic planning, and creative facilitation. Most recently, Linda led Evaluation Studio, a research and evaluation firm rooted in an integrated approach of decolonized and feminist research methods with traditional approaches to recenter knowledge creation and intergenerational communities of color. Read More. |
Schedule:
11 a.m.: doors open, light lunch
12 p.m.: Introduction
12:05–12:40: Not in Our Town
• Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin
• Marin County Attorney Lori Frugoli
12:45–1:30 p.m.: Building a Cross-Cultural Coalition Against Hate
• Oasis Legal Services
• Blue Shield of California
• SF Interfaith Council
• Disability Rights of CA
1:30–2 p.m.: Gender Equality: Demystifying Gender Affirmation Care
• The Gender Institute
• Human Rights Commission of SF
• SF Pride
2–2:15 p.m.: Break / Interactive
2:15–3:00 Navigating Our Differences Through Civic Engagement
• AAPI Youth Rising
• CUAV
• Bay Area elected leaders
3–3:30 p.m.: Youth in Focus: Building Safe Spaces
• Women’s Foundation
• Women’s Foundation California’s Youth Panel
3:30–4 p.m.: Keynote, wrap up
• California Civil Rights Department
4–6 p.m: Healing & Celebration Reception on the Rooftop Terrace