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MEDIA ADVISORY: Emerging Leaders Conference to offer legislative leadership opportunities to high school students

June 27th, 2018

Story Contact: Liz McCune, 573-882-6212, mccunee@missouri.edu

WHAT: Approximately 80 rising Missouri high school sophomores, juniors and seniors will participate in the legislative process during the Emerging Leadership Conference, which is co-sponsored by the University of Missouri Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity and the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

Participants will learn about 10 bills from the current Missouri legislative session. They then will select three of the bills to debate on the Capitol floor. Students will be housed on the Mizzou campus and will work closely with university administrators, professors, doctoral and undergraduate students, and state legislators throughout the three-day program. The conference also will feature a college preparation workshop led by Mizzou Admissions, a campus tour and student-mentor advising sessions.

WHO: Speakers include:

  • Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, Missouri State Senate
  • Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, Missouri House of Representatives; minority floor leader and Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Chair
  • Bruce Franks, Jr., D-St. Louis, Missouri House of Representatives
  • Kevin McDonald, MU vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity and equity, and UM System chief diversity officer

Several state legislators will join the students for portions of the program, including:

  • DaRon McGee, D-Kansas City, Missouri House of Representatives
  • Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, Missouri House of Representatives
  • Tommie Pierson, Jr, D-St. Louis, Missouri House of Representatives

WHEN & WHERE: Media are invited to attend the following conference sessions:

  • Opening session featuring Curls, Beatty, and Franks: 1:45 – 5 p.m. Sunday, June 24, Tate Hall, MU Campus
  • Legislative panels and debates with state legislators: 1:25 – 3:45 p.m., Monday, June 25, State Capitol, Jefferson City
  • College preparation workshops with Mizzou Admissions: 8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, Hulston Hall, MU Campus
  • Closing ceremony with MU administrators and state legislators: 2 – 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, Reynolds Alumni Center, MU Campus

NOTE: If media wish to attend these events, please contact Liz McCune, mccunee@missouri.edu, at least 4 hours before the event begins.

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