Oakland University will host the 2025 Alsame Latino Youth Conference at Rochester, Michigan, on May 9, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We expect 400 students from various high schools across the state to attend. Please check this page for updates, to register your group to attend, and to learn about the keynote speaker, artists/entertainment, workshop presenter highlights, the college and career fair, and more!
Press Release: Oakland University selected to host 2025 ALSAME Latino Youth Conference
General Conference Agenda
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast, DJ & Prizes |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Opening Ceremony |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Workshop Session 1 |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Lunch for Group A & College & Career Fair for Group B |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Lunch for Group B & College & Career Fair for Group A |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Workshop Session 2 |
| 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Optional College Campus Tour (depending on where students are traveling from) |
| 3:30 p.m. | End of Conference |
2025 Latino Youth Conference Keynote Speaker: Poppy Hernandez
Poppy Hernandez received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s degree from Western Michigan University. For more than 20 years, Hernandez’ work of strategic change management has been at the intersection of public health, education, workforce development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer as the Regional Director of Community Affairs. In 2020, Governor Whitmer appointed Hernandez as the inaugural Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer in the Executive Office of the Governor. In addition to her role as the Chief EIO, she also serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Global Michigan supporting immigrant and refugee integration efforts across the state. At the federal level, Hernandez is a commissioner on the USDA Equity Commission. She lives on Michigan’s “west coast,” along the shores of the beautiful Lake Michigan, and is the mother of two remarkable sons who are currently busy adulting.
Alsame Live Podcast to Return in 2025
Alsame’s “Talking with the Tíos” Podcast will return to invite students and Latino leaders to sit down and give their thoughts on various topics. Adnoris “Bo” Torres and Santiago Gayton will return this year to connect with Latino Youth Conference participants through a live podcast that will be streamed on social media.
Doble V Entertainment, Featuring Compa Bandit & Compa Prek to Return as Emcees and Music Entertainment
The Alsame Latino Youth Conference provides a space for high school students to engage with Latino professionals from all across the state, including artists and professionals from the music industry. Doble V Entertainment, featuring Compa Bandit & Compa Prek will emcee the conference again this year while engaging with students and providing a fun and exciting music lineup.
2025 College & Career Fair Institutions (as of May 7, 2025)
| Alma College | Lawrence Technological University |
| Aquinas College | MI Student Aid |
| Baker College | Michigan Hispanic Collaborative |
| Central Michigan University | Michigan State University |
| College for Creative Studies | Northwood University |
| Davenport University | Oakland University |
| Delta College | Saginaw Valley State University |
| Eastern Michigan University | University of Detroit Mercy |
| Ferris State University | University of Michigan |
| Grand Valley State University | University of Michigan-Dearborn |
| Henry Ford College | University of Michigan-Flint |
| KConnect | Wayne State University |
| Kettering University | Western Michigan University |
Not on the list but want to join? Click here.
Interested in Participating?
Thank you to our sponsors!
A special thank you to Cynthia Martinez for continuing to sponsor the Alsame Latino Youth Conference
