Several times a year, CNYD invites members of the youth development community to come together and hear a cutting-edge presentation by a policy-maker, researcher, exceptional youth worker, young person or community leader as part of the CNYD Speaker's Forum series. Following each presentation, lively dialogue ensues as the community analyzes, challenges and learns about different approaches and perspectives on working with youth.

Past speakers and topics have included:

• Topic: Youth Development in the Streets

Youth development practice is as essential on the street as it is in youth-serving organizations. A panel of local experts participated in a dialogue about the work they do to support street youth.

• Nicole Yohalem

  Forum for Youth Investment & researcher for Next Generation Youth Work Coalition

  Topic: Workforce Development for Youth Workers

What’s Happening Nationally, Statewide & Locally to Create a More Comprehensive Workforce Development System for Youth Workers

• Dr. Peter Witt
  National Leader, Author & Professor with Expertise in Recreation & Youth Development
  Topic: Youth Development's place in Recreation Settings: How innovative  recreation  departments and collaboratives locally and nationally are  integrating both to benefit youth

• Lisette Lopez and Dr. Amy Scharf
  California Tomorrow
  Topic: Equity and Access in After School and Youth Programs

• Milbrey McLaughlin
  James W. Gardner Center at Stanford University
  Topic: Findings of National Academy of Sciences Report: Community Programs to Promote Youth Development

• Youth representatives from the San Francisco Youth Commission, Center for Young Women's Development and HOME/B.A.S.E.
  Topic: Youth-led Projects, Organizations and Youth and Adult Partnerships

• Dr.Shawn Ginwright, Santa Clara University and Taj James, Movement Strategy Center
  Topic: From Assets to Agents of Change: Social Justice, Organizing and Youth Development
• Philip Yenawine, internationally renowned museum educator and co-founder of Visual Understanding in Education (VUE)
  Topic: Arts & Learning: Visual Thinking Strategies
• Youth Panelists from San Francisco Youth Commission, Youth In Focus, Richmond Village Beacon, and WritersCorp
  Topic: What we Learn from Listening to Youth: Youth Voices with Milbrey McLaughlin

• NefeRa Amen, Professional Speaker Inspiring Growth & Possibility
  Topic: Cultural and Historical Influences on African American Youth

Please visit us again soon to find out when our next Speakers Forum will be!

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