COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Youth Activism
A Conversation on Youth Led Movements and Actions
With Nazshonnii Brown-Almaweri, Zain Khemani, and Lauryn Smith
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
10 am - 12 pm PT
Registration is now closed.
In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.
— from the Great Law of the Haudenosaunee,
the oldest living participatory democracy on Earth.
Youth are often at the forefront of movements that protect people and the planet, working both on the ground and behind the scenes. The presence of youth leaders reminds our communities and gives meaning to accountability, solidarity, equity, and justice. How do environmental movements engage youth? What unique challenges and strengths do youth activists have? What does youth-led activism look like? What role should youth voices play in movements?
Join Zain Khemani, Lauryn Smith, and Nazshonnii Brown-Almaweri in this community conversation on youth-led movements if you are curious about how youth are paving the way or looking for inspiration. We’ll discuss these questions and take a look at youth-centered activism and movements that are practicing the philosophy of protecting our communities for many generations to come.
Bioneers brings together a diverse, discerning, engaged and reflective community, and the curated conversations we host around crucial topics are highly popular and stimulating.
Each session begins with a brief presentation by a noted thought leader as a conversation starter to frame the topic. Structured group discussion follows, supported by world-class facilitators. The conversation and event wraps with a poetic synthesis of the conversation performed by a talented spoken word artist.
Join us to connect, inspire and be inspired by the collaborative community of Bioneers.
FEATURING:
Zain Khemani is a Senior at The New School of Atlanta and current communications intern at the Georgia Conservancy, focused primarily on activism surrounding Georgia’s own Okefenokee Swamp, which a potential mining operation has recently threatened. Zain initially got involved in the fight against the mine thanks to a school trip to the Swamp, writing an article for the Saporta Report about his experiences visiting the Swamp, interviewing its residents, and speaking out against the proposed mine. As an intern at the Georgia Conservancy, Zain currently helps to write press releases and create other promotional material for environmental activism. He is currently working to draft a media release for the Okefenokee Experience, a three-part plan to bring more ecotourism to the Swamp, set to be published in the coming months. Zain plans to study Sociology in college, focusing on online activism movements.
Lauryn Smith is a Legislative Youth Advisory Council Member and a very active senior at Varnado High School, where she currently serves as the Student Body President and previously as class representative for four years. After graduation, Lauryn plans to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy with a minor in pediatrics and women's studies. Lauryn prides herself on creating opportunities for rural communities, students especially, and advocating for disrupting poverty. Lauryn co-authored and testified on Senate Bill 207 at this past Louisiana legislative session which proposed school safety measures for all Louisiana high schools.
Nazshonnii Brown-Almaweri is a farmer, STEM educator, and Indigeneity Program Manager from West Oakland, CA. She is also connected to the Gill Tract Community Farm in Albany, a volunteer-led farm that provides food, medicine, and green spaces to the community. Nazshonnii is passionate about STEAM education and advocates for exposure and opportunities for historically excluded people, especially Black and Native youth. As an educator, Nazshonnii has provided middle and high school youth with the space to learn about STEAM at the intersection of ancestral knowledge and their lived experiences and creating space for Oakland youth to thrive in disciplines like engineering.
FACILITATED BY:
Amy Lenzo
weDialogue and the World Café Community Foundation
David Shaw
Santa Cruz Permaculture and UCSC Right Livelihood College
HARVESTER:
Jason Bayani
Author & theater performer
Artistic Director, Kearny Street Workshop
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