Celebrating 10 Years of Highline’s Y.E.L.L. Female Summit

When the first Y.E.L.L. (Young Educated Ladies Leading) Female Summit was held at Highline College 10 years ago, attendance was strong – even back then. This year, the popular annual event is expected to attract close to 300 attendees.

The free summit is for female-identified high school and college students of color and this year’s featured theme is, Ladies First: reSIStance and Revolution.

“We want the young ladies in attendance to know they have the power within them to resist any limitations placed on them by society and they can evolve into anything they want to be,” said Tanisha Williams, co-chair of the Y.E.L.L. Female Summit planning committee.

Williams continued: “The young women can expect to be in a safe space full of other young women that look like them, and be inspired, motivated, and empowered by presenters that also look like them … we hope they feel the energy, love, and intention that went into planning this event for them.”

Being the 10 year anniversary of the summit, this year is extra-special and the milestone is being marked with a new Y.E.L.L. Female Summit Scholarship through the Highline College Foundation. All past attendees planning to enroll at Highline College will be able to apply for the scholarship in spring of next year.

In 2014, the inaugural Y.E.L.L. Female Summit was created as an expansion of the Black & Brown Male Summit, which was established in 2009. The theme for that year was “Your Presence is an Essence,” which has remained the summit’s mantra over the years.

According to Gerie Ventura, Y.E.L.L. planning committee member, the Y.E.L.L. Summit is one of the best days of the year. “I love seeing the young women laughing and enjoying the day with new and old friends. These students have no problems sharing their concerns, hopes, and dreams in the big room. They are ready and willing to participate fully and that’s why I love serving on this committee,” she said.

Some of the presenters for 2024 include Bonita Lee, Sala Sataraka, Bri Quintanilla, Tolu Taiwo, and others. Along with a keynote presentation and workshops, a resource fair will also be held.

“We are celebrating 10 years of this signature event for black and brown young women and I am most proud about the vision of the summit reaching this level of accomplishment,” said Rashad Norris, co-founder and former community engagement director.

The summit is free but registration is required. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024 or when capacity is reached. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those who have registered.

Event Details:

Saturday, May 18, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Building 8 (Highline Student Union)
Highline’s main campus

Visit the Y.E.L.L. Female Summit website for more information.

Questions?

Email yell@highline.edu