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 Rashad Norris 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.
keynote speaker
Lynae Vanee
NAACP Image Award Nominee Lynae Vanee is a multifaceted performer, poet, influencer, writer, and actress hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Spelman College and Boston University with a Master's Degree in African American Studies, Lynae uses her digital platforms to speak on race, feminism, politics, and inclusivity. Lynae’s viral videos have garnered over 20 million views across platforms and have garnered the attention of several celebrities, major networks, and the general public. She has built her brand on "keeping it black but keeping it brief", offering critical context on today's issues in a succinct and stylized manner. Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
presenters
Nyema Clark
Seattle native, Nyema Clark is founder and Director of Nurturing Roots Farm located on Beacon Hill, a program committed to addressing food justice issues in the community. She currently hosts workshops ranging from germination to systemic food oppression participating on panels and lectures, sharing her journey as a black female entrepreneur. She is also an organizing keyholder of the Black Power Epicenter Collective. As a black small business owner and founder of Avenue South, she produces handmade natural culinary and body products. Nyema is committed to enriching underserved communities, her strength and overall goal is founded in youth empowerment and community
Dar’Nesha Weary
Dar’Nesha Weary is a Seattle native with over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where her mission has been to serve others, build community, and make a positive impact by challenging racism, promoting acceptance of people from different backgrounds, raising awareness, and using her voice to address hate and to promote kindness.
Joy Kazuko Muhammad
Goria Joy Kazuko Muhammad is a writer and literary arts teaching artist based in Tacoma, WA (Puyallup tribe territory). As a writer, Gloria is inspired by spirituality, everyday life, nature, music, and cinematography. She is a graduate of Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab and facilitates writing workshops rooted in healing and personal development.
Writing workshop bookings: gloriajoymuhammad@gmail.com
Current projects: https://linktr.ee/whoisgloriajoy
Stay in touch on IG: @whoisgloriajoy
Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell
Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Co3 Consulting: Co-Creating Cohesive Communities. Dr. G earned her doctorate from the Department of Transformative Studies and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She received her Master’s degree from Antioch University, Seattle, in Whole Systems Design and a Social Science major with an emphasis in Psychology and Anthropology from Washington State University.
DJ Miloonthebeat
DJ Miloonthebeat, is currently a Mobile/Radio/Club DJ host of RnB Wednesday Show on theblock105.com #1 rated Online Radio Station, Though still quite new to the DJ Industry, DJ Miloonthebeat has managed to foster and grow a strong listening base within the R&B, Hip Hop, and Neo-Soul community. She credits much of her success to her appreciation and commitment toward the underground independent artists, DJ Miloonthebeat got her start during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic Via IG & FB Starting R&B Wednesday featuring 90s R&B to New Age R&B, Mellow Monday Featuring independent, undiscovered Artists, Flashback Friday Featuring 60s to 80s old school classic. On April 1st, 2021 DJ Miloonthebeat took RnB Wednesday To theblock105.com. After less than a year, Miloonthebeat ratings for RnB Wednesday had earned 2,611 Daily Listeners. Within the Past Year. DJ Miloonthebeat was a resident DJ at the Bleu Note Restaurant & Lounge In Tacoma Washington.
Doris Martinez (EMCEE)
Doris Martinez has spent her career creating inclusive and equitable environments in various roles across the nation. Born in Huntington Park, CA, Doris considers herself a true Washingtonian. As a Honduran-American of Garifuna decent, she was raised primarily in Federal Way with her parents and brother. As a child of immigrant parents, education was instilled in Doris at an early age, which included knowing her family, language, and heritage.
Doris launched her professional student affairs career in Philadelphia, PA, at La Salle University in 2011, where she served as Off-Campus Community Coordinator and served as a university liaison, bridging university relations through active community-wide programming, partaking in police advisory community initiatives, and crisis response efforts. Since 2014, Doris has served in numerous roles at Highline College, including Inter-Cultural Center Leadership Advisor and Director of Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence. As an educator, she aims to provide students a safe space to examine social injustices, equity, and inclusion while empowering students to be change agents in their communities. With a commitment to increasing social consciousness and dismantling systemic barriers for the students she serves, she is eager to continue these values into her position as Interim Associate Dean for Student Life. Doris is a proud alumni of Highline College, where she obtained her Associate of Arts degree in Speech Communication in 2007. She continued her studies at Seattle University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Communications in 2009 and a Master’s Degree in Education, Student Development Administration, in 2011. In her free time, Doris loves spending time with family, friends, and her corgi, Divina! She also loves music and has a passion for Latin dances including Salsa and Bachata.
Other Languages Spoken: Spanish and Garifuna
Favorite Place in the Puget Sound area: Beacon Hill, overseeing the Seattle skyline–there is nothing like it. So beautiful!
Favorite Food: Doris has an infinite love for avocados anytime of the day.
Fun Fact: You can also find Doris with a new hairstyle frequently–even a few on the same day depending on her mood.
Edwina Fui
Edwina Fui (she/her) is the daughter of Fia’ali’i and Fualaau Fui from the villages of Savaia, Upolu and Tula, Tutuila Samoa. She is a proud firs-gen student and alumnus of Rainier Beach High School and UW-Bothell and is currently pursuing her Master of Education at Seattle University. As a community organizer, Edwina planned the first Pacific Islanders Pursing Education event at the UW-Bothell and discovered her passion to build community while advocating for marginalized voices in higher education. She has worked in higher education for the past 7 years and finds joy in supporting students and community. She currently serves as the Interim Director for the Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence at Highline College.
Jessica Ramirez
Jessica Ramirez (she|her|ella) is Mexican American, born in the PNW and grew up in the Lewis Country area. She is a first generation student who attended Centralia College (’11) and Western Washington University (’14). Recently Jessica graduated with her Masters in Science from Colorado State University ('20) in Student Affairs in Higher Education. She serves as an Assistant Director of Student Life for Student Life and Involvement Center at Centralia College. The responsibilities are co-advising Student Advocacy and Activities Leadership Team (SAALT) in addition serves as the vice chair the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) council. She values spending time with her family and friends. When she has free time she enjoys trying different cuisines and traveling.
