1ST FROM NOVEMBER 9AM - 2:30PM
VOTE VOICEis FIRST GEN Celebration Celebration
In partnership with
FIRST GEN Celebration Celebration
First-Generation College Celebration (FGCC) is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of the first-generation college student identity by advancing an asset-based, national narrative of these students’ experiences and outcomes.
Since the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-generation Student Success launched the inaugural celebration in 2017, hundreds of higher education institutions, corporations, non-profits, and K-12 schools have joined together in recognizing the achievements of the first-gen community on and around November 8.
This year, leverage Celebration Day to deepen your community’s understanding of the systemic barriers plaguing higher education and the supports necessary for this resilient population to continue thriving across education, career, and life.
VOTE VOICEis
Y UR VOTE Matters
Lance Wheeler Vice-President of Learning & Engagement
LANCE WHEELER
Lance Wheeler serves as the Vice President of Learning & Engagement at the Charles H Wright Museum of African American History, where he leads a dynamic team in creating and overseeing high-quality, impactful tours and educational programs for all ages. An esteemed curator, museum practitioner, and cultural strategist, Wheeler is recognized for his influential work with organizations focused on community and civil rights. His expertise has advanced the missions of prominent institutions, including the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute, Mississippi Food System, Margaret Walker Center & C.O.F.O. Education Center, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Guided by the belief that museums are not just repositories of artifacts but spaces that link the past, present, and future, Wheeler remains a transformative leader in the museum sector, driving critical dialogue and fostering community engagement through his inclusive and forwardthinking approach
Manager of Youth & Family Programs
JONATHAN JONES
Jonathan Jones is the Manager of Youth and Family Programs for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History For the last eleven years he has helped create and implement educational programs and content about and around the African Diaspora for schools, corporations, and community groups Having studied Political Science at Michigan State University and Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young at Eastern Michigan University, Jonathan is an avid advocate for marginalized, underserved, and often unheard communities "
Keep moving
Y UR VOTE Matters
8:30-8:45AM Bus Transportation for TRIO Scholars
8:50AM-9AM TRIO Scholars Arrive at Museum
9:10AM - 9:15AM “Your Vote is Your Voice” Intro Adam Harris, Director
9:15AM - 9:35AM (20 min)
Opening Session: History Behind the Vote Jonathan Jones, Manager of Youth and Family Programs
9:45AM - 9:50AM Transition to Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session A:
9:50AM10:20AM
1) Voting Workshop - RISE
2) Advocacy - TICAS
3) Building Bonds for Success- TRIO
10:25AM10:55AM Breakout Session B (1st Rotation) 11AM - 11:30AM Breakout Session C (2nd Rotation)
11:45AM12:30PM LUNCH TIME 12:35PM - 1PM
Special HerStory Segment: Judy Richardson, Civil Rights Activist
Facilitated by: Lance Wheeler, Vice-President
1:05PM - 1:30PM
Keynote Speakers: Joe Tate, MI House Speaker & Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence 1:30PM - 2PM Kahoot Game for Prizes. 2PM - 2:30PM Group Leaves The Wright Museum
Celebration
GEN Celebration
VOTE VOICEis ADVOCACY WORKSHOP
VOTER EDUCATION BUILDINGBONDS FORSUCCESS
Facilitated by RISE, Scholars will engage in a workshop that will help them learn about voter registration and how to become educated on opportunities to be civically engaged in their communities.
Facilitated by The Institute for College Access and Success, Scholars will learn about the importance of advocacy, and ways to advance causes that they care about to elected officials and state & national legislators.
Facilitated by GVSU TRIO Upward Bound Detroit, TRIO Scholars will engage in interactive activities and icebreakers to get to know their fellow Scholars across the UPrep school district.
Malcolm Carter
RISE Facilitator
MALCOLM CARTER
Malcolm Carter is the Manager of Programs for RISE, a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations A Detroit native and Cass Tech HS grad, Malcolm went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Hampton University While there, Malcolm was the project director of the athletic marketing team, responsible for planning and developing projects supporting “Respect The H,” a TV show featuring university sports After college, Malcolm moved to Wichita, KS as a reporter for The Community Voice, the cities only African-American newspaper He then transitioned onto Audacy Radio as their Regional Promotions Manager and a disc jockey for the #1 evening drive show in the Wichita Market, Power 93.5. Malcolm is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders, community development and building relationships through sport.
Scott Koenning
RISE Facilitator
SCOTT KOENNING
Scott Koenning is Senior Director, Programs and Strategic Communications for RISE He works to plan, execute and expand RISE programming, contributing to the development of program content, collaborating with partners to identify training needs and strategies. Previously, Scott served as assistant director of career enhancement and employer relations with NU for Life at Northwestern University, overseeing student-facing elements of a program dedicated to the professional and leadership development of Northwestern's more than 500 NCAA Division I athletes. Prior to Northwestern, Scott was a postgraduate intern of leadership development at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and worked at a Boston-based nonprofit organization, Bottom Line, and with the Schuler Scholar Program in the Chicago area Scott attended Grinnell College, where he played football while completing bachelor's degrees in Spanish and sociology He holds a master of science in learning & organizational change from Northwestern University
Manon Steel Senior Program Associate, Michigan
MANON STEEL
As a native Michigander, Manon is deeply committed to making college affordable for all students throughout the Mitten State She works on state postsecondary policy aimed at expanding access to financial aid and ensuring it’s equitably distributed. Prior to joining TICAS, Manon managed education policy projects as the Education Policy Coordinator of the Roosevelt Institute Student Network. She collaborated in research projects at the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at Michigan State University, the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Manon also supported students through the college application process at Thomas Jefferson University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations & Policy from Michigan State University and a MSEd in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania
SPEAKERJudy Richardson
SPEAKERJoe Tate
SPEAKERBrenda Lawrence
A Federally Funded Program
