RCCD Students Contribute to the Success of State of the Youth Conference

The Third Annual State of the Youth Conference, hosted by Music Changing Lives (MCL) in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR) MCL student club, marked a significant milestone by being held for the first time in Riverside. This two-day event, held from Thursday, July 11, to Friday, July 12, brought together 100 youth participants from Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County. It offered workshops, panels, keynotes, and various engaging activities at no cost to the participants.

Among the dedicated individuals who helped run this impactful conference were two remarkable students from the Riverside Community College District (RCCD): Kiara Bravo from Riverside City College and Alex Brown from Norco College. Their involvement exemplifies the powerful connection between RCCD and the broader community, highlighting how students can drive positive change beyond the campus.

Kiara Bravo, set to transfer to UCR in Fall 2026 as a Mechanical Engineering major, shared her motivation for attending RCC and participating in MCL:

" I joined MCL because I love giving back to the community, especially the youth, and being a good example for them. I decided to go to RCC because I just wanted to try a new journey. I am from Northern California, so it was a new, different pace of life. I appreciate RCC's diversity, various cultures, and programs. It is great to know you matter at RCC."

Alex Brown, who will transfer to UCR in Fall 2025 after graduating with an Associate Degree for Transfer in Mechanical Engineering in June 2025, echoed similar sentiments:

"I chose Norco College for its affordability and the opportunity to meet diverse people from different walks of life. Coming to Norco College from out of state, I noticed that community college in California is unparalleled compared to other states, and I appreciate this opportunity. Norco College's great programs and transfer options with UCR were also deciding factors. As far as the conference, helping with MCL allows me to positively impact the youth, further developing universities and the surrounding community. It was great to see how many youth came out."

The State of the Youth Conference, dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders, focused on today's pressing racial, economic, and social issues. With keynotes from Edwin Delgado of Supervisor Joe Baca's office and Denise Davis from the Redlands City Council and workshops led by community leaders, business professionals, and higher education experts, participants were equipped with knowledge on policy change, college and career readiness, financial fitness, mental health, and more. The conference's theme, "Inclusive Economics & Sustainability," and its mission to elevate young voices through artivism were underscored by the diverse and comprehensive program.

Josiah Bruny, CEO of Music Changing Lives, emphasized the importance of the event:

"I started Music Changing Lives at the college level to bridge the gap between universities and the communities they serve, aiming to end the brain drain and harness the full potential of academic resources for genuine collaboration. Our partnership with UC Riverside and other local colleges has been instrumental, earning us business certificates, presidential awards, and recognition as one of the top 10% of nonprofits shaping the future of our youth. This collaboration exemplifies the transformative power of education and community engagement, and we're proud to see students, like those at UCR and RCCD, actively contributing to events like the State of the Youth Conference."

The involvement of RCCD students in this conference not only highlights their commitment to civic engagement but also showcases the seamless integration of their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Through the MCL club at UCR, Kiara and Alex discovered this conference, which they saw as an opportunity to build their leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Music Changing Lives looks forward to hosting the fourth State of the Youth Conference in 2025, continuing its mission to create civically engaged leaders through impactful, youth-led initiatives.