Youth Explore Racism

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) presents “Explore Racism in Modern Day America” a two-part program to discuss racial bias and discrimination in our country.

YAC is comprised of dedicated students from schools throughout Isabella County who learn about leadership and civic engagement, while focusing on fundraising, volunteering, and grantmaking. The YAC advises MPACF's Board on the awarding of grants from the Kellogg Youth Fund, which supports charitable projects that benefit the young people of Isabella County.

“The oppression that the African American community has felt is unjust and unacceptable,” said YAC President and Mt. Pleasant High School senior, Kaitlin Otteman. “YAC understands that this issue impacts all of us. As student leaders, we wanted to show that there are many ways to learn and discuss this topic. It isn’t only policy makers that can create conversation. As the next generation, we must do better and we must be better.”

The two-part program starts by encouraging participants to read “The Hate U Give,” a young adult novel by Angie Thomas that confronts racial bias and discrimination. The reading of the book will be followed by a virtual panel discussion.

To request a free copy of “The Hate U Give,” Isabella County youth grades 6-12 may call the Veterans Memorial Library at (989) 773-3242. Books may be picked up curbside at the library Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

A virtual panel will discuss critical themes as well as answer questions and comments about “The Hate U Give,” Black Lives Matter, police brutality, diversity, inclusion and others. This panel discussion will be recorded and the video will be posted to the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation Facebook page for community viewing, on September 17. Please consider submitting a topic or question for our panelists to discuss. Questions can be submitted between September 12 to September 15 to info@mpacf.org.

The panelists include Monica Dijetror, Dr. Vincent Mumford, Australyah Coleman, Alivia Clark and Jalen Kisner. This and many more updates can be found on the MPACF Facebook page and website - follow MPACF for more information.

Download the event flyer here.