Twenty-six McLean County residents graduate from a program training them to be leaders, McLean County YWCA CEO D. Dontae Latson discuss his transformation from a 10-year-old boy with an arrest record, and Latson's Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal steering committee colleague, Bloomington Alderman Karen Schmidt was honored at Saturday's graduation ceremony for the Multicultural Leadership Program.
The "Celebrate Community"-themed event, at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom, featured Larson's keystone address and Schmidt's receiving MCLP's annual community service award.
MCLP began in 2009 with a goal of developing leaders who value diversity in decisionmaking at home, at work, and in the community.
Each year's participants are split into teams that assist a nonprofit group with a six-month project.
This year's nonprofits and projects included:
- Challenger Learning Center — enhance fundraising to support programs for area school children
- Community Health Care Clinic — help with a dental care feasibility study and a five-year budget
- Immanuel Health Center — increase name recognition
- Meadows at Mercy Creek — recommend a staff development plan
- Prairie Pride Coalition — redefine goals and outreach effort.
Latson grew up in a suburb of Washington, D.C., and watched the crack cocaine epidemic ramp up violence in his neighborhood.
In one year, he lost his brother and eight friends to violence.
Schmidt was recognized for her council service, local initiatives, and leadership. Below, listen to her acceptance speech.