By Jorge Vazquez
The Adelante First Year Experience program is hosting an inaugural Empowerment Summit series complete with multiple keynote speakers, workshops, panels and performances.
The Empowerment Summit Series is a fundraising event with the goal of establishing a Adelante Scholarship program for FYE scholars says Associate Dean of first year programs, Vanessa Ochoa.
The first of the series is the Woke Womxn Summit which will feature three female keynote speakers with merit in their respective fields.
Gabriela Ortega, an actress, writer, and USC alumna with roots in Hollywood, Monica Lin, owner of Eyelust Eyewear and marketing director for Popular Demand clothing, Lupe Fuentes, House Music DJ, producer, and owner of the record label, “ In the Loop”.
The WWS aims to empower women with workshops, networking opportunities and access to Community Leaders.
In addition, there will be a resource fair featuring the ELAC Health Center, Safe Zone, and the East Los Angeles Women’s Center.
The Woke Womxn conference is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m. in the MultiPurpose Room.
The next event in the series is ELAC Pride Week which will empower scholars through advocacy skill development and access to resources.
Pride Week will be four days long from April 23 through April 26 in the MultiPurpose Room.
April 24 there will be a bisexual identity panel as well as a movie screening of Moonlight.
April 25 will host the TransLatin@ Coalition Luncheon and a Domestic Violence in the LGBT Community workshop.
To end Pride Week, April 26 will feature a Queer People of Color Platica with Dr. Aguilar from Cal Poly Pomona, a Drag Competition and a closing dance with DJ TRON.
Last in the series, the Hip Hop Summit will analyze Hip Hop as a tool of change with keynote speaker professor David Stovall, from the University of Illinois.
The event will feature a Hip Hop Empowerment panel, performances by B-Girls and B-Boys, and guest appearances by Turntablists, DJ Icy Ice and DJ Eliza May, and graffiti, mural, and tattoo artist, Chubs.
The summit will all be facilitated by freedom fighter, educator, MC and author, Tyson Amir and take place Saturday, May 12, in the G3 Auditorium.
“These events are inspired by the passion and interest of FYE staff and scholar employees,” Ochoa said. “These events should not be missed for the three summits will not happen in 2018-2019, FYE will only create one summit but the topic is pending.”
All events are open to the campus and community and are streamed live @adelantefye on Instagram and Facebook.