As communities across the nation search for strategies to motivate, nurture and engage youths, a group of Colorado Springs community educators has been doing exactly that for almost 25 years. The annual African American Youth Leadership Conference, this weekend in Colorado Springs, includes seminars, performances and speeches aimed at giving students leadership skills and direction for the future.

Started by community leaders in 1993 to encourage young black men to work past racism to succeed in life, the effort has evolved into a conference that encourages local students (sixth through 12th grades) from all ethnicities to participate. Parents are also encouraged to attend.

The speakers include distinguished leaders, university professors, chefs, physicians, television news anchors, newspaper executives, bankers, commercial pilots, engineers, musicians, scientists, and teenage filmmakers.

We all recognize the need for these kinds of experiences for young people, especially at a time when our community is struggling to combat teen suicide and addiction.

The conference is free, and a light breakfast and lunch will be served. It runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Colorado College. Morning-of enrollments are accepted, and programs are available for parents who attend.

Read more at The Colorado Springs Gazette.