Many Shades Of Colour Young Women's Conference 2024 (MSC24): “Imagine Me” The following is a summary of the impact that Hip-Hope, its 25 sponsors (notably our Gold sponsors Polk County Board Of Supervisors, Athene, and United Way), and 43 community partners made on March 2, 2024 for 6th-12th grade Young Women. Media Coverage: https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/many-shades-of-color-young-womens-conference-hip-hope-des-moines-iowa/524-a3cab1bb-fdbc-4dd5-a93e-210ba39513c1 Location: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, 1331 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA Vision: To see confident young women valuing themselves as equal contributors to society, and turning obstacles into opportunities to overcome survival mode and thrive. Mission: Stimulate, Activate, and Engage. To provide tools and resources that encourage girls and women to actualize their potential, making the impossible possible so they can begin to create change in their community. Purpose: To empower Young Women with information and resources to be the best version of themselves. MSC intentionally addresses issues challenging Young Women's academic, social, emotional, psychological, and economic success. The Many Shades Of Colour Young Women's Conference provides hope to young women through several key aspects of its design and content: 10 Empowerment Workshops: The conference offered a variety of empowerment workshops, including sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, financial education, and STEM careers. By providing practical tools and insights, these workshops empowered young women to envision and pursue a future where they can actively shape their destinies. 42 Mentors and Role Models: The presence of accomplished speakers, mentors, and role models in various workshops and sessions gave young women tangible examples of success. Interacting with individuals who have overcome challenges and achieved their goals instilled HOPE and confidence that they, too, can navigate their unique paths to success. Community Engagement and Giving Back: The emphasis on community engagement and giving back in sessions like "Sister Circles" gave a sense of purpose and connection. By showing young women the impact they can have on their communities, the conference inspired HOPE that their actions can contribute to positive change. Resilience and Overcoming Challenges: Workshops such as "Rise Up and Straighten Your Crown Sister" focused on resilience and navigating difficult situations. Sharing stories of individuals who have overcome adversity provided HOPE by demonstrating that challenges can be overcome with determination, strength, and the right mindset. Personal Development and Self-Empowerment: Sessions like "Your Life, Your Boundaries" and "Keeping Your Crown Polished" emphasized personal development and self-empowerment. By equipping Young Women with tools to set boundaries, build self-esteem, and polish their leadership skills, the conference cultivated HOPE for a future where they can assertively pursue their goals. Education and Career Exploration: Workshops like "STEM that is..." and "You're the BOSS!" encouraged Young Women to explore diverse educational and career paths. Providing information about various opportunities opened up possibilities and gave HOPE for a future where they can excel in fields traditionally underrepresented by women. Financial Literacy: Sessions on financial education, such as "Fun Financial Education for Middle Schoolers" and "You're the BOSS!," equipped Young Women with essential skills for financial independence. Understanding how to manage finances and create economic opportunities provided HOPE for a future of financial stability and empowerment. Demographics: Student Grades: Number of 6th-grade students: 56 Number of 7th-grade students: 50 Number of 8th-grade students: 35 Number of 9th-grade students: 43 Number of 10th-grade students: 15 Number of 11th-grade students: 26 Number of 12th-grade students: 31 Total number of students: 256 (sum of the above) Grades by %: 6th grade: 22% 7th grade: 20% 8th grade: 14% 9th grade: 17% 10th grade: 6% 11th grade: 10% 12th grade: 12% Hearing Impairment: Number of "Yes" responses: 5 Number of "No" responses: 211 Hearing Impairment by %: Hearing Impaired: Hearing impaired: 2% Not hearing impaired: 98% Percentages for the mentioned race/ethnicity categories: Black or African American: 66% Caucasian: 16% Latinx or Hispanic: 9% Asian: 4% Other (not specified): 4% American Indian or Alaska Native: 2% Sudanese and South Sudanese: 1% Combination of races/ethnicities: 2% Savings Account Ownership: Approximately 44% of students responded with "YES" to having a savings account. Approximately 56% of students responded with "No" to not having a savings account. Conference Impact Measurement Survey Thank you for participating in this survey. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us assess the impact of the recent conference. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences. ________________________________________ Conference Impact Assessment: Please rate the following statements based on your experiences at the conference: "After attending the conference, do you feel more confident in yourself and have a better understanding of who you are? Please share any specific moments or activities that made you feel this way." Strongly Disagree: 0% Disagree: 0% Neutral: 3% Agree: 11% Strongly Agree: 86% Community Engagement Testimonials: “I had the chance to engage with different communities during the conference.” “The conference encouraged me to connect with like-minded individuals.” “I feel more connected to my community after attending the conference.” Strongly Disagree: 0% Disagree: 0% Neutral: 2% Agree: 7% Strongly Agree: 91% Educational Empowerment: The conference enhanced my knowledge on various topics. I gained valuable skills that can contribute to my educational success. The conference inspired me to pursue further educational opportunities. Strongly Disagree: 0% Disagree: 0% Neutral: 2% Agree: 2% Strongly Agree: 96% Overall Conference Experience: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall satisfaction with the conference? (1 being very dissatisfied, 10 being very satisfied) 10 Rating: 83% 9 Rating: 10% 8 Rating: 7% These breakdowns offer insights into the diverse and multifaceted expectations participants have for the conference, with a strong emphasis on personal development, education, and building connections. Participants express a wide range of aspirations, including gaining self-confidence, knowledge, leadership skills, and cultural understanding. The majority seek personal and academic development. ________________________________________ Key Themes and Trends: Empowerment and Identity: A prevalent theme is the desire for self-confidence, empowerment, and a better understanding of one's identity, particularly among Black or African American students. Educational Aspirations: Participants are eager to gain knowledge, learn new skills, and understand different perspectives, reflecting a commitment to academic and personal growth. Leadership and Social Skills Development: A significant number of students express a keen interest in developing leadership, team-building, and social skills, indicating a focus on holistic personal development. Community and Networking: Building connections, learning from community leaders, and expanding networks are key priorities, highlighting the participants' commitment to community engagement. ________________________________________ Insights: Self-Confidence and Identity: Many participants express a strong desire to gain confidence, self-love, and a better understanding of their identity. Knowledge and Learning: Gaining knowledge, learning new skills, and understanding different perspectives are common aspirations. Leadership and Social Skills: Developing leadership and team-building skills, along with improving social and communication skills, is a significant focus. Community and Networking: Building connections with like-minded individuals, learning from community leaders, and expanding networks are important goals. Empowerment and Inspiration: Seeking empowerment, inspiration, and learning from successful women and community leaders are widespread themes. Career and College Preparation: Aspiring to gain insights into college preparation, career advice, and opportunities for networking and advancement. Cultural Understanding: Some participants express a desire for more education about their culture and ethnicity, and understanding different perspectives. Fun and Enjoyment: A notable number of participants express excitement and eagerness to have a great experience, meet new people, and enjoy the conference. Purpose and Vision: A few participants mention a hope to understand their purpose and vision better. Specific Skills and Tools: Mentioning specific skills like coping skills, money management, and community engagement. First-Time Participants: Participants expressing excitement and anticipation as first-time attendees. As partners, your support contributes to the success of an event that aims to empower and inspire the next generation of Women leaders. We look forward to the positive impact this conference will have on the lives of these students and the communities they represent.