Annual Event Co-Sponsored by ACLU of Kentucky, Muhammad Ali Center Set for Saturday

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky … Registration is open for the 2015 Youth Rights Conference (YRC) sponsored by The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky and the Muhammad Ali Center. The annual conference is FREE (includes snacks and lunch) and open to local high school students. The youth-led, youth driven event will be held Saturday, March 21, 9:00-3PM at the Muhammad Ali Center.

This year’s theme is “Race to Equality.” The Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students (MACCS) will lead interactive workshops during the conference.  The MACCS is a diverse group of young leaders, committed to improving themselves and their communities through the practice of Muhammad Ali’s six core principles: Respect, Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Spirituality, and Giving.

Event speakers include:

• Chanelle Helm – The founder of Stand up Sundays at the Braden Memorial Center and Louisville Black Lives Matter activist will speak about law enforcement use of force.
• Aaisha Hamid – The author and University of Louisville student will explore Islamophobia and what it means to be Muslim in America.
• Taylor Little – The duPont Manual High School junior will talk about her efforts to infuse more Black History in JCPS curriculum.
• Markia Pence – The college student will share her story of struggling with homelessness while trying to get an education.

“The YRC is a youth-led event where local teens come together to talk about the pressing issues facing our community,” said Erin Herbert, Education Manager at the Muhammad Ali Center. “Our youth leadership team identified several topics including Islamophobia and student homelessness as problems in Kentuckiana that they wanted to learn more about and share their ideas on how to address this issue,” added Herbert.

“Once again this year high school students will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, have their voices heard, and connect with other teens who care about the same issues they do,” said ACLU of Kentucky Program Director Kate Miller. “At the end of the conference, the students will walk away with action steps they can take immediately around the issues that are important to them,” said Miller.

For more information, and to register for the conference, visit the Muhammad Ali Center website: https://19291.blackbaudhosting.com/19291/Youth-Rights-Conference-2015

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky is freedom’s watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms.  This year the ACLU of Kentucky is celebrating 60 years of protecting civil liberties in the commonwealth. For additional information, visit our website at: www.aclu-ky.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Amber G.  Duke
Communications Manager
ACLU of KY
(502) 581-9746
amber@aclu-ky.org

Jeanie Kahnke
Senior Director of Public Relations and External Affairs
Muhammad Ali Center
(502) 992-5301
jkahnke@alicenter.org