Black Youth Leadership Summit

Gateway Educational Services (www.gatewayeducationalservices.org) will host the 2^nd annual Black Youth Leadership Summit with support from CommUnify. This largest event of its kind in Santa Barbara County gives students who identify as Black/African American the opportunity to learn, gather and form community with one another – which closely aligns with both organizations’ missions to rise-up underserved students of color through education, culture, and community. This year’s expanded event is on Saturday, August 17, 8:30am – 5:00pm at Santa Barbara City College West Campus, 721 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara and includes historical context of black leaders and an experiential celebration of black culture with an impressive array of leaders in the arts. There is no cost to participate in this event and free transportation will be provided from Mid- and North- County. Advance registration is required using this link: https://bit.ly/BYLS2024.

The Black Youth Leadership Summit creates a welcoming space for all Black/African American-identifying youth and aims to unite students, parents, educators, and community members for a culturally immersive day of positivity and joy before the beginning of the school year for the Black youth of our community Countywide. There are three key initiatives planned for the day: (1) gaining insights into historical Black leaders; (2) offering support to parents of Black youth through facilitated discussions and collaborative problem-solving; and (3) exploring the artistic expressions of our youth. This day is open to parents, students, and educators for grades 5 through 12 Countywide and is the largest event in Santa Barbara County for Black Youth with over 150 participants expected to attend this year’s event.