The Latinx Youth Leadership Conference is an annual event that celebrates Latinx culture and helps Latinx middle and high school students learn to share peace through leadership.  The primary goal of this event is to promote youth development, leadership, and positive cultural identity while enabling teens to see their role as peacemakers and learn individual actions to share with their families, schools, and neighborhoods. Participating youth have the opportunity to meet students from other schools while learning and having fun in cultural workshops, presentations and activities relevant to their lives. What makes this a one-of-a-kind event is that it is planned by and for Latinx youth; a team of high school students meet weekly for 8 months to plan and develop all conference elements.

Please contact Franklin Zumba at franklinz@oportunidad.org or Eloisa Echavez at eloisae@oportunidad.org or by calling 612-872-6165 if you would like more information about the event.

2026 Conference

Our 2026 Latinx Youth Leadership Conference, held on May 15th, at Metropolitan State University, was a resounding success, bringing together 320 students and 60 adults (mostly educators) from across Minnesota (105 more attendees than in 2025!). This year’s theme: “De Invisibles a Invencibles (From Unheard to Unstoppables) centered on the strength, resilience, and leadership of Latinx youth in the face of discrimination, inequality, and harmful narratives that impact our communities. The theme highlighted the journey from being overlooked or marginalized to becoming powerful agents of change, young leaders who speak up, stand together, and work toward creating a more just and inclusive future. Through workshops, conversations, performances, and shared experiences, students explored the many challenges facing Latinx communities today, including immigration issues, cultural identity struggles, and systemic inequities. At the same time, the conference focused on empowerment by equipping youth with knowledge of their rights, tools for self-advocacy, and opportunities to strengthen confidence, cultural pride, leadership, and community connection.

For the second year in a row, Metro State University generously provided the facilities and logistical support needed to host the event successfully. The welcoming environment created by the university helped make the conference an engaging and meaningful experience for all attendees.

The event featured student performances that highlighted the talent, creativity, and cultural pride of our youth. The Lincoln International High School Dance Group performed several engaging traditional Latino dances. In addition, Los Iluminados, a student music group from Fairview Alternative High School, another school served by our organization, sang uplifting and energetic songs. The conference also featured a powerful and inspiring keynote speaker, a traditional Latin lunch, cultural performances and raffles, and concluded with a festive Latin dance where all attendees had the opportunity to dance and celebrate.

This year’s conference included a total of 12 workshops—11 designed for students and one specifically tailored for educators.

The workshops were facilitated by Latino/Latinx professionals representing a variety of organizations and institutions. These workshops played an important role in supporting students’ educational, personal, and professional growth. They provided interactive spaces where students and educators could engage in meaningful dialogue, learn new skills, and explore topics relevant to their lived experiences and future aspirations.

Student Workshops Included:

– Healing, Building, and Leading

– My Latinx ID (Cultural Adaptation)

– No Matter the Age, We Can Always Help (Employment Opportunities for Youth and Young  Adults)

– First-Gen to Fearless: Navigating College with Confidence

– “No Todo es Buena Onda: Tu Instinto También Cuenta” (Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships and Social Media)

– Money Moves for the Invincible (Financial Literacy)

– Raise Your Voice (Breaking Through Barriers to Build a Vision for the Future)

– Who Am I? Identity, Culture, and Latinx Pride

– Latinidad: Who Are We and Where Do We Come From?

– With Our Feet Grounded in Reality and Our Eyes on the Future (Identity, Self-Esteem, and Goal Setting).

Educator Workshop: Linguistic Challenges of Latin American Students.

The success of this conference was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and community partners. Their contributions played a critical role in helping organize and execute the event while ensuring a meaningful and memorable experience for all attendees. We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors: Metropolitan State University, The Minneapolis Foundation, United Way (Reclaiming Care funds), Youthprise, Mall of America and Exchange Club of East Minneapolis.

This year has been one of the most challenging years for many Latino/x communities across Minnesota due to increased immigration-related fears and uncertainty. Despite these obstacles, our Conference Planning Team (comprised of 18 youth and our Youth Programs/Conference Coordinator) courageously and with limited time, worked together to plan this important youth event. These young leaders demonstrated extraordinary determination, resilience, and teamwork. The conference became more than just an event—it became a celebration of resilience, culture, leadership, and hope during a time when many young people needed it the most. Despite the adversity these youth faced throughout the year, they came together to create a meaningful experience that inspired hundreds of youth, educators, presenters, and community members. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Planning Team members whose hard work, leadership, and collaboration made this event possible. It reminded all participants that even during difficult times, youth leadership and cultural resilience continue to thrive.

Past conference topics have included:

2025: “Mentes Valientes, Futuros Sin Límites” (Brave Minds, Limitless Futures)
2024: “Más Allá de la Frontera: Unidos Por Nuestra Herencia Latina” (Beyond the Border: United by Our Latinx Heritage)
2023: Sin Años de Soledad (How to Deal with Loneliness and live Happily/mental health)
2022: Adelante Seguimos (Together We Move Forward)
2021: Community Healing & Resiliency
2020: (The conference had to be cancelled due to the pandemic)
2019: Justicia y Sostenibilidad Ambiental (Environmental Justice & Sustainability)
2018: Cuídame, Cuídate (Let’s Take Care of Each Other)
2017: El Pueblo Unido (The People United) – Theme: Social Action/Activism
2016: De Donde Vengo y Adonde Voy (Where I’m From and Where I’m Going)
2015: Express Your Identity
2014: Cultivating My Well-Being
2013: Traditions in Our Hearts, United We Thrive
2012: Growing Healthy Relationships Together
2011: Dancing with the “Sole”, Bailando con El Corazón
2010: Mind Opening Scenes: Artes Visuales
2008: Who am I? Finding Myself to Promote Peace
2007: Our History and Traditions: The Key to the Future
2006: Hip Hop: A Tool for Peace and Social Change
2005: Healthy Lifestyles
2004: An Intergenerational Dialog on Immigration