On March 3rd, 2019, the city council held a listening session to make sure that all voices were heard, including Spanish speakers and the Latinx community. It seemed interesting because I would have the opportunity to hear how city council can help us make this community better by working on what our community thinks we need to add, remove, or fix.
On Friday, February 22, We’Ced Youth Media celebrated its seventh print publication in downtown Merced. Among those present was Joshua Semerjian, a PhD student from UC Merced who has been collaborating with We’Ced for the past year. Joshua and We’Ced have been building a strong mutually rewarding partnership to support the youth reporters in their personal and professional growth, and on the night of the publication party, Joshua had this to share
I had no idea that being born to a Mexican Mother and a Black father would make my experience in the valley one that would teach me a lot about myself, and how I would see the world. But it did. I remember being enrolled in elementary school, and how accepting and welcoming the other students were of my differences. They never made me feel weird or bad, they just simply accepted me for me. It wasn’t until middle school that I was met with issues about my race.
As you probably know, February is Black History Month, a month where famous and influential black members of society are recognized and celebrated. Back in January, Kody, our Program Manager with The kNOw, asked me if I would be interested in doing illustrations that celebrate famous and less well-known leaders in the African American community for Black History Month. I gladly accepted, and I’m glad I did.
Fighting for tobacco prevention for me is crucial because young kids of color deserve better than this, they don’t need any more direct targeting by big corporations, and most important they do not need tobacco or any tobacco-related products.
Oakland teachers are the heart of our communities, and right now, they are fighting with all their hearts simply to do the job they love. YLI will be joining school teachers on the picket line. Join us! Or click here to learn how you can support our brave teachers and students as they push forward on their historic strike to save our public schools.
On February 11th it was announced that Central Valley Senior Director of Programs Yammilette Rodriguez was awarded the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. These awards, “recognize and support individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant state issues” and provide a $250,000 investment in the work.
On Saturday, the Merced Sun-Star delivered copies of Walking our Paths to communities across the county. This is We’Ced Youth Media’s 7th such publication, featuring the stories of young people, but with a very special twist. The entire publication was produced by the young people themselves.
