Frequently asked Questions
Registration
Do I need to register for the summit?
YES. ALL ATTENDEES, BOTH STUDENTS AND ADULT CHAPERONES, MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND
When I tried to register, it said that registration had closed. Is there a waitlist I can get on?
Unfortunately, we are unable to have a waitlist for the summit. Registration is capped at our capacity plus 30 percent, which takes into account the substantial number of no-show attendees on the day of the summit.
I forgot to register/registration is closed. Can I just show up to the summit?
Only registered students will be guaranteed admittance to the summit. If an unregistered student shows up on the day of the summit, they will be required to wait in the will call area until all registered students have been processed. In the event that there is still space available after all the registered students have been admitted, unregistered students will be admitted in the order that they arrived. After we have reached capacity, any remaining unregistered students are required to leave the campus for liability purposes.
Attendance
Why can’t middle school aged students attend?
Although we have allowed 8th grade students to attend in previous years, the summit is now reserved for high school students only for the following reasons:
Maturity level: The planning committee strives to bring presenters and topics to the summit that speak to current events and issues important to young students of color. As many of the topics discussed revolve around the dense and multi-faceted issue of social justice, many middle school students do not have the comprehension level needed to both engage in, and respect, this dialogue.
Behavior: Attending the summit requires students to have the strong personal responsibility and critical listening skills that are more common in older students; we simply do not have the staff or the ability to continuously monitor individuals who need to be reminded consistently to behave appropriately.
How long is the summit?
The summit is an all-day event, from approximately 8:00am to 4:00pm.
What if I arrive late?
We cannot facilitate late arrivals. Our registration and check-in tables open at 8:00 am sharp and close promptly at 9:15 am when the keynote speaker begins. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 9:15 AM, EVEN IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE SUMMIT.
Cost, Location, and Programming
How much does it cost to attend?
The summit is FREE to attend.
Where is the summit?
The student summit is located in the Student Union Building (Bldg 8) on the Highline College campus, with adult chaperone programming located in Building 7. Individual student workshops are held in various classrooms on campus; students are escorted by summit volunteers to and from these classrooms.
Do I need to bring my own food?
No. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided for you.
What workshops will I be attending?
Workshops will be assigned as students are processed through the registration table the day of the summit.
I want to see a particular workshop presenter. How can I ensure a seat in her specific workshop?
To ensure equal workshop sizes, students are assigned a workshop. Students are not able to choose their workshops. However, workshop presentations are thoroughly screened by the Y.E.L.L. Planning Committee to ensure each workshop is equally informative, engaging, and impactful.
For Adult Chaperones
I’m an adult chaperone for a school/organization but I don’t know which students I’m bringing yet. Can I just hold some spots?
No. All attendees (both students and adults) must be registered individually to attend. We can NOT hold spots under any circumstances.
I’m a chaperone and some of the registered students I was supposed to bring can’t come. Can I substitute different students in their place?
No. If a student or adult has registered but is unable to attend, they cannot substitute another individual.
As a chaperone, will I stay with my student throughout the day?
No. Adult chaperones/attendees and students are on different activity tracks in different buildings. The summit is for the students and part of the impact of the summit comes from being able to have real, open dialogue. Please respect this space and understand that you will be reconnected with your students at the close of the summit.
I’m a chaperone who is bringing multiple students. Can I send you a list of the students attending instead of registering them all?
We greatly appreciate attendees or adult chaperones registering themselves and/or their students. Having attendees or chaperones directly enter their information increases accuracy, so we politely ask that you register attendees individually.
I want to see a particular workshop presenter. How can I ensure a seat in her specific workshop?
As the summit is geared focused and created for high school aged females, chaperones are not permitted to sit in on these workshops; adult chaperones are able to view the keynote speeches remotely but have a fixed adult chaperone agenda in an adjacent building.
This is a valuable, transformative event that I want to be a part of. How can I get involved?
If you would like to volunteer at this year’s or a future Summit, please contact Tanisha WIlliams or Rickitia Reid.
My students received a t-shirt/lanyard/giveaway item. Do adult chaperones also receive giveaway items?
Unfortunately, adult chaperones are ineligible to receive giveaways. As Highline absorbs the entire cost of the summit, we decided to limit giveaways to students to increase the quality and quantity of items they receive.
Will all my students stay together if I bring a group of students?
One of the values of the summit is to encourage meaningful conversations and create new friendships. In order to facilitate this, students are assigned to workshops by individual rather than by school. Some students in you group may end up in the same workshop by chance, but it is highly unlikely that you student group will stay together for the entirety of the summit.
presenters & panelists
Dr. Consuelo Grier
Dr. Consuelo Grier is the Vice President of Community Care & Institutional Transformation at Bellevue College and Founder of Brave Space Collective, LLC. With nearly 25 years of experience, she is a nationally recognized leader in organizational change and leadership development. She is the creator of the Restora System™, helping people move beyond burnout, understand burn through, and restore with intention. A mother and educator, her work focuses on how people sustain energy and connection in both leadership and everyday life. She is also co-creator of Jolly Jottings, a family journaling project that supports reflection, connection, and shared experiences.
Yvette Ferrell
Yvette Ferrell is an Organizational Development Consultant at UW Medicine, partnering with leaders to drive transformation and build strong, people-centered teams across a 37,000+ employee healthcare system. She’s a proud Chinese American, bilingual professional, Army combat veteran, and mother of two, she brings a powerful, real-world perspective on resilience, identity, and leadership.Known for her compassion and courage to help amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, Yvette connects deeply with audiences by blending executive insight with personal storytelling—helping young women find their voice, build confidence, and lead with purpose. Outside of her professional work, she competes in fitness competitions, reflecting her passion for discipline, growth, and pushing beyond limits. She is committed to empowering the next generation of women to step into their full potential with clarity and confidence.
Luzy King
Luzy King is a trailblazing Latina in personal finance, dedicated to helping Latinas & BIPOC to take control of their financial futures. As the founder of Say Hola Wealth, Luzy has built a thriving community where Latina professionals & entrepreneurs learn how to achieve financial independence, balance their careers with their personal lives, and break free from the limiting beliefs around money.
Alanah Dillard
Alanah earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Community. She holds a clinical license in Marriage and Family Therapy and an Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of Washington. Alanah is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and specializes in youth, teenager and young adults’ adjustments and life stage transitions. Since 2005, she has worked with youth and families in various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, residential, community mental health and schools. Alanah has a commitment and passion for serving children and families from birth through the age of 24 of special populations: foster care/system involvement, LBGTQ+, girls of color addressing trauma, mood disturbances, identity and self-esteem, urban affairs, and race relations with an emphasis in faith/spirituality.
Melinda Gilliam
Melinda Gilliam is the Associate Director of Talent Development at Security Properties Residential and Founder of Melliam LLC, where she partners with organizations to develop leaders and strengthen teams. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling and Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Education, with over a decade of experience in talent and organizational development across housing and higher education. An award-winning presenter, Melinda is known for delivering engaging, practical sessions that help individuals lead with intention and impact. She has supported hundreds of students and professionals in achieving meaningful career and personal growth. While she has been recognized for innovation in both people and process, she is most proud of being a mom to two beautiful girls.
Roxana Pardo Garcia
Roxana Pardo Garcia aka La Roxay is a self-identifying Hood Intellectual Xingona and cultural worker who was born and raised on occupied Coast Salish Territory (Burien). Roxana is the Certified Xingona, Founder, and Cultural Worker of a small business, La Roxay Productions. She is a graduate of Highline High School, the University of Washington, and forever a student of these streets, life, and her Ancestors. She lives in Burien with her family, loves naps - as any Taurus would. She thanks her Ancestors for their love, grace, and guidance.
Heba Qatrani
Heba Qatrani serves as the Director of Legislative at the University of Washington Tacoma, overseeing the legislative team advocating on behalf of Tacoma students. Working at the city, county, state, and federal level to advocate for higher education, Heba has spent years grassroots organizing and working to advance student voices in Washington state. These past two years, she's worked to add a student trustee to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and in collaboration with the Washington Student Association, advocated to increase basic needs access for homeless students and protect financial aid for Washington's students.
Alysha Cordova
Alysha Cordova is a communications and marketing strategist who focuses on helping nonprofits and startups find their voice and secure the funding they need to grow. As the founder of Lucky Star Consulting, she brings a creative, project-based approach to every partnership, turning big ideas into clear, actionable plans. Her professional journey began in the classroom as a teacher, an experience that taught her the art of storytelling and the importance of making complex information accessible to everyone. Since then, she has blended those instructional roots with a background in corporate sales to create a unique style that is both results-oriented and deeply human. Now focused on the nonprofit sector, Alysha is passionate about building marketing frameworks that do more than just share information—they build community. Based in Ventura County, she thrives on the "behind-the-scenes" work of organizing projects and refining brand messages so that mission-driven organizations can shine. She believes that every group has a powerful story to tell, and she sees her role as the bridge that helps that story reach the right people. Outside of her consulting work, she is often immersed in her own creative writing projects, always looking for new ways to connect through words. Alysha is dedicated to making a tangible impact, one project and one story at a time.
Dr. Joye Hardiman
Dr. W. Joye Hardiman, author of The Ra-Surrection From The Chains of Falsehood, is a storyteller, scholar, and Higher Education Architect whose work integrates ancestral wisdom, scholarship, and community transformation. Born in Buffalo, New York, she earned a B.A. in Western Classical Literature, a Ph.D. in Ancient Kemetic Literary Studies and Urban Education, and a Harvard Management Development certificate. For 18 years, she served as Director of The Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, where she led equity-centered curriculum innovation and institution building. A Fulbright Scholar and international researcher, Dr. Hardiman now serves as Creative Director of Ancestral Art Works, CEO of Hardiman House Inc., host of Let the Ancestors Speak, and founder of the Ra-Imaging Exploratorium—all dedicated to restoring what is seen in ruin and making it more beautiful than before.
Patricia McDonald
Patricia McDonald (Tmac) is a culturally sustaining practitioner, consultant, educator, leader, and community member dedicated to dismantling the oppressive structure of traditional education—acting for a world where all students feel seen, valued, and listened to in their classrooms. Informed by 31 years in the classroom, Patricia champions learning communities and cultural responsiveness by engaging educators in critical conversations that deepen their knowledge of self and awareness of impact on educational environments.
Kechi Amaefule
Kechi Amaefule is a dynamic speaker, visionary entrepreneur, and community leader known for turning lived experience into impact. As the founder and Executive Director of Mothers Impacting Lives Every day (MILE), she has built transformative programs that empower women, girls, and families through healing, leadership, and opportunity. With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, operations management, and public advocacy, Kechi speaks with authenticity, strategy, and purpose on topics including resilience, entrepreneurship, domestic violence survival, and building legacy through service. Her voice blends inspiration with action, challenging audiences to rise beyond circumstance and lead with courage.
Annabel Quintero
Annabel Quintero is a Seattle native, Bgirl, and member of the Speakers Bureau at Humanities Washington, where she delivers lectures on Mambo 2 Hip Hop — tracing Hip Hop’s lineage within the Afro-Indigenous-Latino context. A veteran of the Boogie Down Bronx who danced with New York City Breakers and Rock Steady Crew, she holds a Master’s in Education Policy and is the bestselling author of Step Step Jump, a story of transforming trauma into triumph rooted in her survival of 9/11. Founder of RUNA Empowerment and a wellness guide rooted in the Andean Q’ero tradition, she teaches moon phase alignment and matrilineal ways of life. Her mission is to help leaders reimagine leadership through Hip Hop arts, communal thinking, and ancestral creative practice.
Doris Magiri
I am a technology and transformation leader who turns bold ideas into meaningful, scalable impact. I am focused on connecting people, processes, and data to create clarity and alignment across engineering, sourcing, supply chain, and operations. In addition, I am the founder of a tech startup dedicated to increasing awareness around mental health and suicide, driven by a belief that technology can spark connection and save lives. I am at my best in high‑stakes environments where purposeful leadership and clear direction are essential. I am committed to empowering future leaders to step forward with confidence, courage, and a deep sense of possibility.
Chisa O’Quinn
Chisa D. O'Quinn, MSW, CMT, is the founder of Re-Purposed Living, a consulting practice specializing in organizational culture, leadership development, and values-centered facilitation. With over a decade of experience in higher education and workforce equity, she partners with institutions and teams to move from stated values to lived practice — creating spaces where accountability and belonging are built together, not mandated from above. A Kolbe Certified Consultant, Certified Mediator and Trainer, and co-recipient of the 2026 NADOHE Institutional Excellence Award for Two-Year Institutions, Chisa brings both the credentials and the lived wisdom to make this work real.
Luckisha Phillips
Luckisha Phillips has served on the Federal Way Public School Board since October 2018, where she has held leadership roles including Legislative Representative, WSSDA Legislative Committee member, and trainer and mentor for incoming School Board Directors. She has leveraged her 20+ years of experience working with children and families to champion legislation expanding support for children with special needs, increasing access to technology and digital literacy, and growing early learning opportunities. As a Professor in Early Childhood Education and a former leader in nonprofit organizations such as the YMCA and YWCA, she brings a strong foundation in program and community leadership to her board work. Her volunteer leadership on councils, including the Federal Way Soroptimist, OSPI Dyslexia Advisory Council, and the King County Youth Community Accountability Committee, further reflects her commitment to driving systemic change for women, children, and families.
Darnesha Bowman
Darnesha Bowman—visionary leader, CEO, and cultural architect. She’s built businesses, led communities, and helped countless people turn purpose into impact.
Demajacque Crosby
Demajacque Crosby is a Washington‑based real estate professional and property management leader dedicated to expanding access, stability, and equity in housing. She brings a strong background in operational excellence, client advocacy, and systems‑building, grounded in a commitment to serving communities of color with clarity and care. Her work centers on empowering others—especially young women—to navigate complex spaces with confidence and self‑determination. As a newly licensed real estate agent, she is building a practice rooted in integrity, education, and generational impact. Demajacque shows up with lived expertise, compassion, and a deep belief in shaping futures where people can thrive.
Bianca Acuario
Highline Alumni, Student Athlete. BA from the University of Iowa in Enterprise Leadership. Previous Highline Outreach Coordinator. Bianca enjoys helping people and love being a new dog mom.
Doris Martinez
Doris Martinez (she/her) has served as Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Renton Technical College since September 2022. A proud Honduran-American of Garifuna descent, Doris brings a deep commitment to social justice, creating inclusive spaces where students, faculty, and staff can engage in equity-centered dialogue and action. She began her career at La Salle University in 2011, focusing on community relations and crisis response, and later led transformative DEI efforts at Highline College as Director of the Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence. Doris has also held leadership roles with the Multicultural Student Services Directors Council and currently serves with the Diversity Equity Officers Commission. She holds an Associate of Arts in Speech Communication from Highline College, a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications, and a Master’s in Education in Student Development Administration from Seattle University.
Lara Mae D Chollette
Lara Mae D Chollette is a Seattle-based people and culture leader who believes leadership starts with service - showing up for people, listening deeply, and building systems rooted in equity and care. Her career across HR, sports, marketing, and community development has been guided by a commitment to servant leadership and creating spaces where individuals and communities can truly thrive. That same calling fuels her community work as a Board Member of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund and as a Seattle Center Commissioner, where she helps advance economic opportunity, cultural preservation, and inclusive access across the city. Outside of formal leadership roles, Lara Mae invests in youth through coaching and mentorship in athletics - especially basketball and soccer - and promotes holistic well-being as a certified yoga teacher, integrating mindfulness, movement, and resilience into everyday life. Whether in the boardroom, the community, or on the mat, Lara Mae’s work is grounded in a single purpose: expanding access, confidence, and opportunity for the next generation.
Eileen Jimenez
Eileen's mother is Maria Cruz, her grandmother is Eloisa, and her great grandmother is Ysidora, matriarchs of the Ñätho (Otomi Peoples of Michoacan/Guanajuato, Mexico). As an IndigiQueer leader, community member, educator and as an artist, everything she does and creates is influenced by her many intersecting identities and lived experiences. In her art, eileen uses printmaking and mixed-media techniques to develop her own ways of telling stories in the complex layers that they exist in, as well as to demonstrate the ways that we are connected to the Land and to each other.
Alicia Crank
Alicia Crank is the Senior Manager, Corporate and Institutional Philanthropy, at the Seattle Opera. Prior to this role, she has led several organizations as an executive director, chief fundraising officer, and philanthropy director in Greater Seattle as well as Silicon Valley. Alicia serves on a number of community and civic boards and commissions, including the State of Washington’s Commercial Aviation Work Group, and the Snohomish County Public Facilities District Board. Her love of women’s sports lead to her being a part of the Seattle Sports Commission, which helps to bring large events into Seattle, including the MLB All Star Game, the NHL Winter Classic, and FIFA World Cup 2026.
Perlita Payne
Perlita Payne (she/they) has been a public librarian for over 10 years. Born in the Philippines and grew up in Berkeley, Ca, Perlita now lives and works in Tacoma, Wa. Perlita enjoys cooking, reading graphic novels, admiring other people’s pets, visiting Island Pacific, and rooting for the Rainiers baseball team.
Kristi Maldonado
Activist and advocate for well over a decade. Working hard for my community and people. Will continue to do so until everyone can live without fear of who they are, how they identify, or who they love.
Kaitlen Taoipu
Kaitlen Taoipu is a youth development professional and community advocate committed to creating spaces where young people—especially young women of color—feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. She has served youth and families through the Matt Griffin YMCA, where she led community engagement efforts and developed inclusive programs that foster connection and growth. Her background in education includes work with Highline Public Schools and Highline College, where she supported students academically and holistically while promoting confidence and belonging. Kaitlen remains deeply connected to her community and is dedicated to uplifting others through mentorship and leadership. She is honored to be part of the Y.E.L.L. Summit and looks forward to supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Rachel Zakopyko
Rachel Zakopyko is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience serving youth, adults, and families. Her career spans direct clinical care, therapy, systems-level work, and behavioral health program management within a Fortune 6 Medicaid organization. Through her roles as an Administrator with the Department of Children, Youth and Families and as the owner of Azure Therapeutic Solutions, Rachel is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, woman-led, and supportive environment where individuals are empowered to grow into their best selves.
Rhonda Faison
Rhonda Faison is the founder and owner of Rojo Juice, an organic cold-pressed juice bar in Seattle’s Pike Place Market that reimagines wellness as both nourishment and experience. After spending over a decade working in the emergency room, she witnessed firsthand the consequences of neglecting the body—and chose to dedicate her life to prevention, healing, and vibrant living. She launched Rojo Juice during the pandemic, inspired by caring for her quadriplegic brother and her deep belief in the power of food, breath, and intention to transform lives. Through her work, Rhonda creates more than juice—she creates spaces where community, culture, and holistic wellness come together to restore, uplift, and inspire.
Melanie Lawson
With over 25 years of progressive leadership and consulting experience across various industries, Melanie currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Highline College, where she leads with a strategic vision centered on organizational effectiveness and inclusive excellence. A graduate of Lincoln High School in Tacoma, WA, she holds degrees in Human Resources and Business Management from Washington State University. Melanie has built a distinguished career in the private, public, and non-profit sector, leading transformational initiatives in workforce planning, talent development, change management, and policy innovation. She is known for her ability to align people strategies with institutional goals and her commitment to creating workplaces where individuals feel they can succeed no matter their background. A collaborative and strategic-driven leader, Melanie champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as the cornerstone of every HR strategy she touches. She serves as a trusted advisor and thought partner to executive leadership, and her data and strategy-informed approach has helped organizations strengthen leadership in various industries from education, manufacturing, staffing, and agriculture. Beyond her professional work, Melanie is deeply invested in the growth and success of young women who are daring to lead. As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she demonstrated this commitment early by founding the first youth auxiliary chapter in Tacoma for her sorority creating a dedicated space for young women to develop their leadership, sisterhood, and civic engagement from the ground up. Her daughter is now a member of the youngest group, the Pearlette Club. She believes that every young woman carries the power to redefine what leadership looks like and she is honored to share that message with the Young Educated Ladies Leading community. Her personal mantra is “lead with purpose. And empower with intention.”
Syreeta Bernal
Sy grower lover of nature artist dancer designer.
Ashley Strickland
I am a Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist at Seattle Children’s Hospital. I was born and in raised in the Central District of Seattle. I enjoy reading, shopping, traveling and listening to 90s RnB music.
DJ Miloonthebeat
Stage name DJ Miloonthebeat has been In the DJ Industry for the past 5 years. With a strong listening base within the R&B, Hip Hop, and Neo-Soul communities. Although she's fresh to the DJ Industry, DJ Miloonthebeat can credit much of her success to her appreciation and commitment to providing a platform for Underground and Independent artists. DJ Miloonthebeat started during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Spring of 2020. She practiced for countless hours Via IG & FB Live to work on her craft in front of a live audience. She started hosting on IG/FB Live a show called R&B Wednesday which featured 90s R&B to New Age R&B. She also hosted another show on IG/FB Live called Mellow Monday which Featured Independent and Undiscovered artists. In October 2020 she became a resident DJ for the Blue Note where she remain until the establishment went out of business in 2022. On April 1st, 2021 DJ Miloonthebeat took RnB Wednesday to Theblock105.com and was named the number RnB Show up until 2023, Since then DJ Miloonthebeat has continued to build her brand Miloonthebeat Entertainment.
