2024 Latino Youth Conference

2026 Alsame
Youth Conference

Coming to Western Michigan University on 5.8.26

Davenport University will host the 2024 Alsame Latino Youth Conference at Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 3, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We expect 200 high school students from various high schools to attend. Please check this page for updates, to register as a volunteer, and to learn about the keynote speaker, artists/entertainment, workshop presenter highlights, the college and career fair, and more!

This page will be updated with details regularly. Have questions? Contact Salvador Lopez at lopezs@alsame.org

2024 Alsame LYC

Press Release Announcement:Davenport University to host hundreds of Michigan Latino students this spring

General Conference Agenda 

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:05 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. Opening Ceremony
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Workshop Session 1
10:35 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. Workshop Session 2
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lunch / College & Career Fair
12:20 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. Workshop Session 3
12:55 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. Workshop Session 4
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. College Campus Tour
2:45 p.m. End of Conference

Conference Theme: Celebrating Herencia, Building Orgullo, Shaping el Futuro!

2024 Latino Youth Conference Keynote Speaker

Cynthia Martinez is a 2nd generation Mexican-American born into a working-class family in Holland, Michigan. She is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, producer, director, mother, and wife. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she set out to work and realized she had stories to tell. With that passion, she enrolled in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and completed her Master’s Program in 2012. Her experience includes working for Univision News in Miami, and she is currently engaged with directing and producing films and media that advocate social justice.
Cynthia Martinez

Alsame Live Podcast to Return in 2024

In 2023, the live Alsame “Talking with the Tíos” Podcast invited 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.

DJ Doble V Entertainment, Featuring Compa Bandit & Compa Prek to Provide Emcee 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. DJ Doble V Entertainment will emcee the conference this year while engaging with students and providing a fun and exciting music lineup.

Ballet Folklorico de la Luz Will Perform! 

Ballet Folklorico de la Luz is Central Michigan University’s award-winning folklorico group dedicated to teaching the art of ballet folklorico. Ballet folklorico is many things: dance, acting, emotion, freedom. Above all, it is a way of telling the stories and folklore of Mexico.

Volunteer to be a part of the 2024 Latino Youth Conference!

Every year, we rely on volunteers to help us ensure that students and guests have the best experience possible. We could not organize this conference without the support of our community members, students, and many behind-the-scenes supporters. All non-staff adults attending the conference must submit a volunteer form at least a week before the conference—Muchas gracias!

Thank you to our College & Career Fair Representatives!

Aquinas College Michigan Technological University
Central Michigan University Northern Michigan University
Cornerstone University Oakland University
Ferris State University Saginaw Valley State University
GRCC University of Detroit Mercy
Lawrence Technological University University of Michigan
Michigan State University Wayne State University

 

Thank you to Our Sponsors – We Could Not Organize This Conference  & Award Scholarships Without You!