BEMIDJI — We all want to belong, but sometimes our circumstances can make that tough. A Bemidji nonprofit wants to remove the barriers for young people searching for meaningful connections.
Lead for Inclusion's mission is to create accessible and welcoming communities through inclusive youth development. They’re also focused on youth-driven innovation in job and leadership skill development, community advocacy and outreach and social engagement.
The nonprofit is made up of a board of people aged 15-24 who teach classes on subjects like how to get a job, workers’ rights, how to ask for disability accommodations and more.
Lead for Inclusion also hosts community events. There is an Inclusive Game Night at Accidently Cool Games once a month, art socials at Bemidji High School and other activities like Indigenous games and bowling.
A new event for this year is a book club. The book is When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. People can request the book from the Lead for Inclusion website or call 218-209-2345. Then at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, they can discuss the book.
When Stars Are Scattered is a graphic novel based on a true story that focuses on Somalians Omar and his younger brother Hassan, who has a disability. They relocate to a refugee camp in Kenya and get adopted but still face difficult conditions.
The founder and executive director of Lead for Inclusion, Shannon Murray, said the book was selected over a year ago after receiving a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. The grant was about welcoming communities, and since Lead for Inclusion works with people with disabilities, the book seemed like a perfect intersection of themes.
At the book club event, there will be a slideshow put together by the youth board to lead a book discussion. They will also discuss the history of Somalia as it relates to the book. The event is recommended for people ages 14 and up.
Another event coming up is the Leadership Youth Summit on Wednesday, March 25, at Bemidji State University. Area schools are invited to attend to learn about including others and building community.
The next Art Social will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7.
If people want to get involved with Lead for Inclusion or keep track of the next event, they can visit its website or Facebook page.
Listen to the full conversation with Shannon Murray and youth board members Aidan and Skala above.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
