Jason Reynolds, among the most read and prolific Youth and Young Adult authors of the last two decades, is scheduled to speak at UToledo’s 41st Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Diane Guerrero a multitalented actress and star of “Orange is the New Black,” Disney’s “Encanto” and CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” also will be featured.
Jason Reynolds, among the most read and prolific Youth and Young Adult authors of the last two decades, is scheduled to speak at UToledo’s 41st Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Sponsored by Toledo Excel, a longtime scholarship incentive program at UToledo, and Owens Corning, the event is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in Thompson Student Union Auditorium. Advance registration is now open and required for the free, public conference for seventh- and eighth-graders, high school students and parents.
Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author who writes novels and poetry for young adult and middle-grade audiences. Among his award-winning books: “Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks”; “All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely)”; “Long Way Down, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi)”; “Stuntboy, in the Meantime”; and “Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin).” Reynolds also was authored two books featuring Marvel Comics’ iconic Miles Morales Spiderman character.
“Jason was a major get for us because students at last year’s conference literally asked for him in our evaluation survey,” said David Young, director of Toledo Excel and Special Projects. “Many of them had been reading his novels as a class assignment, but even more often for their own enjoyment outside of class. It is also wonderful timing because he has a new novel out and has been on a recent media blitz.”
“We are thrilled to bring the multitalented Diane Guerrero to Toledo,” Young added. “Diane is an amazing actress who shot to stardom playing Maritza Ramos in ‘Orange is the New Black’ on Netflix. Then went on to another starring turn in something as different as playing the role of Isabela in the hit animated Disney musical ‘Encanto. ‘Beyond her great skill as an actress, she has an amazing story of overcoming against all odds. Her family was deported to Columbia when Diane was just 14. She literally came home from school to an empty house. Yet, look at what she has accomplished.”
13 ABC’s Alexis Means will serving as facilitator for the conference. And Rhonda Sewell, who interviewed Ruth E. Carter at the 2023 Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth, will moderate the conversation with Jason Reynolds.
Established in 1988, Toledo Excel helps underrepresented students, including African, Asian, Hispanic and Native Americans, achieve success in college. Through summer institutes, academic enhancement activities and guidance through the admission process, students increase their self-esteem, cultural awareness and civic involvement.
Diane Guerrero a multitalented actress and star of “Orange is the New Black,” Disney’s “Encanto” and CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” also will be featured at the Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth.
