2024 Youth Leadership Forum Comes to Auburn: Disability Doesn’t Define You
The widely-esteemed Alabama Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum arrives at Auburn University
On June 2, 2024, Auburn University was honored to host the Alabama Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum, previously held at Troy University. The forum is a week-long program committed to aiding high school students with a variety of disabilities by honing their leadership skills. Each year, the Youth Leadership Forum welcomes around 30 high school students, referred to as ‘delegates,’ from across Alabama, to participate in this transformative program.
Major Contributors to the Forum
The forum is sponsored by several prominent entities including the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, Auburn University, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, and the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities. Alongside the delegates, the forum also hosts a group of mentors, who are forum alumni from previous years. Furthermore, a team of volunteers composed of Auburn students, who are undergoing their practicum phase, accompany the delegates throughout the week’s proceedings.
The agenda for the Leadership Forum
The forum events range from a self-advocacy panel, lessons on table etiquette, components of living independently, career exploration, to a technology expo. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, the delegates also get a chance to tour the Alabama state capital in Montgomery to get a flavor of legislative proceedings.
Special Address by Self-Advocacy Panel Guest Speaker, Greg Thompson
During the self-advocacy panel, Greg Thompson, a consultant for ADRS Vocational Rehabilitation, spoke on various themes concerning living with disabilities. Thompson touched upon his personal experience of living with Morquio syndrome and amplified the key message that it is crucial not to let disabilities define oneself. His speech was instrumental in inspiring the delegates to develop self-advocacy skills.
The significant role forum director Tasha Betts plays
Tasha Betts, who also serves as the ADRS’ Statewide Transition Coordinator, is the director of the forum. She revels in witnessing the progress delegates make during the course of each forum. Her favourite element of the program is the talent show, where delegates display their various abilities, thereby revealing their personality.
Returning Delegate and now Mentor, JeTaelar Samples, shares her thoughts on the Forum
JeTaelar Samples, a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a three-time participant at the forum gave her insights. She returned to the forum, this time as a mentor. “Upon meeting individuals like me, I get to lend them a lot of advice about college life and living independently, basically teach them a lot of things their parents probably can’t,” Samples said.
The Delegates’ Transformation Journey
By the end of the week, delegates become vociferous self-advocates, form new friendships, and embark on their personalized leadership plans. The Alabama Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum presents an exceptional opportunity for high school students living with disabilities to strengthen their leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and gain confidence in themselves. The program has made significant impacts in many students’ lives and will continue to do so in the future.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
