Each year, the Teens Talk about Racism (TTAR) Conference happens in May.  Fairleigh Dickinson University's CORE studies program generously hosts the event on their Hackensack, New Jersey campus and the efforts of dozens of TTAR volunteers make the day happen.  The key ingredients are the same every year, but the enthusiasm on the faces of the young people who attend never changes.  Conference themes vary by year to focus the program.  This year's theme is "Act Now! Keep the Dream Alive!".  This is a day when we lift up the students in local schools who believe in being the change they want to see.  It's a day to celebrate, to learn and to return to school energized and empowered with new tools and knowledge.

The schedule of the day works like this:

• 8:30-9:00 - Students arrive with their teachers and pick up registration packets
• 9:00-10:10 - Welcoming words; keynote; musical performance by youth participant
• 10:20-11:20 - Workshop I - a series of different workshops happens in break-out classrooms run by students and diversity leaders.
• 11:20-12:05 - Lunch, provided by TTAR
• 11:55-12:05 - Song performed by TTAR youth participant while we finish eating together.
• 12:05-1:00 - Workshop II - same as the morning, students switch to different workshop, but remain with the same group as the morning.  Workshops are clearly indicated with room numbers in student folders for ease of transition to new rooms.
• 1:10 - Closing words; Conference evaluation; Musical performances by local youth.  We end with rousing group song led by youth and conference leaders.  "Lean on me" has become a conference favorite.

While the students are in their workshops, their teachers are in an all-day faculty workshop.  This workshop provides teachers with a rare opportunity to share stories and learn from each other as well as from the diversity leadership team of TTAR.  In addition, conference resource materials and student certificates of participation are distributed.  Students leave the conference feeling renewed, talking together on their school buses about their exciting plans for the coming school year. 

Maryann Woods-Murphy,
March 2011