The first We Matter Now conference will be held April 22 at Grand Valley State University’s Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids. We will bring together 60 Black and Brown youth for a day of education, recognition, celebration and connection.

Sessions will focus on financial education, healthy behaviors and conflict resolution training, equipping you to be impactful members of our community. We promise there will be some fun surprises along the way. The conference is free to attend.

Conference attendees can join us for a party in August as we prepare for the new school year and celebrate the connections made during spring and summer, connect you and your family with others in We Matter Now and get set for an awesome return to the classroom.

The Delta Project will offer its Delta Conversation, which uses storytelling and video editing to tell personal stories in a meaningful and digestible way.

Young Money Finances will offer three sessions – Young Money Managers, Young Investors and Young Entrepreneurs – enabling teens to sharpen their skills around managing money, investing and starting a business.

Better Wiser Stronger will offer its Blueprint Journal workshop, which is part of its boys-to-men curriculum and designed to provide a blueprint for success.