Diversity LeaDership aLLiance

Youth movement
Diversity LeaDership aLLiance turns its attention to eDucating the future LeaDers of the organization anD of america
By Shelby Hill
students about diversity, how to make sound financial decisions and apply for scholarships, and how to transition to the workplace environment. Its phenomenal. I dont even have to recruit for the workshops, says Sue Weiner, a counselor at Metro Tech High School. Students come to me and say, I heard about DLA and want to be part of it. With the present political climate in Arizona, it gives our students a lot of hope, she adds, making note of Metro Techs predominately Hispanic demographic.
Christine P. French DLA co-chair Marion K. Kelly DLA co-chair

nce solely focused on educating adults about diversity, the Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) is going back to school to work with

Valley youth. The DLA is a non-profit organization that provides diversity and inclusion education, resources, tools and forums to the Phoenix area. Its goal is to build an inclusive community where every individual feels equally respected and empowered. The young people are the ones that will make a difference, says says Barnett, the DLA Youth Strategy Chair and a driving force behind many of its youth programs. They will bring that change to the world in which they live. The DLA Youth Council was formed in 2007, with the goal of cultivating and developing future leaders. Diversity-conscious students from various local high schools are selected to take part in numerous programs and events that allow them to assume take-charge roles in their schools and communities. DLAs youth-oriented programs have increased exponentially in the past five years. What started out as DLA partnering with Phoenix Union High School District to teach a handful of young people about diversity has grown into hundreds of students that attend ten monthly workshops annually. The workshops, which are expanding into the Dysart Unified School District this year, not only develop leadership skills, but also teach

In June, DLA partnered with Arizona State University to create a two-day diversity conference for 25 high school students, counselors and educators. Young leaders were able to explore their own values, beliefs and traditions, while increasing their capacity to develop relationships with students from other cultures. One of DLAs most transformative

programs is also its smallest an average of a dozen students start and only six finish. This personal leadership course, held on weekends, teaches students how to discover and unleash their voices. Teens can find it difficult to give up their free time, but realize that the personal and financial gains are well worth it. Students who complete this leadership program are eligible for scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 and are asked to speak at DLAs annual conference to more than a thousand attendees. One of the first graduates, Alejandra Valenzuela, had the audience in tears with her powerful story, Barnett notes. Another Valley youngster who has been impacted by the DLA is James Focht, 22, now a DLA board member. While attending Metro Tech High School, Focht ended up on a bus headed for the annual DLA conference. That chance event turned out to be life-changing. Once I understood DLAs goal to create an inclusive community that values individuals based on their opinions and ideas, I was hooked, says Focht. He is now finishing up his final classes at University of Phoenix, thanks to a full-ride scholarship he received from DLA. The DLA Youth Council develops diversity advocates and provides future leaders with the educational opportunities, tools and resources needed to effectively collaborate with one another, build an inclusive community and affect cultural change.

56 AB | November-December 2011