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LEWISTON – A Let Diversity Shine initiative is the next undertaking by the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, as it strives to highlight the origin, culture and ethnicity of the people who call Lewiston home.
“LYAC wants to host this gathering for people to share with each other and to create an enhanced atmosphere of understanding and belonging,” Chair Elissa Nadeau said.
Lewiston residents who are interested in participating may submit a form at lewistonmaine.gov/letdiversityshine. The deadline for submission is March 1.
LYAC members will review submissions to select a balanced representation of individuals within Lewiston and to select submissions that best reflect the event theme.
The LYAC expects the event to happen in early spring, when each selected participant will have an assigned table to showcase origin, culture or ethnicity.
A focal point of the event will be a red-carpet runway for participants to showcase theme-related attire, music, vocal or poetry presentations, or demonstrate or explain an item of interest.
“This will be an exciting opportunity to appreciate the positive impacts that diversity has on Lewiston,” said LYAC member Samiira Noor.
“It is so important to represent the people who make up our city,” LYAC Treasurer Corinne Rosario said.
LYAC member Feysal Abdirahaman agreed. “Lewiston is very diverse, just look at the vast composition of Lewiston’s student body,” Abdirahaman said.
LYAC will a table at the event to highlight its divere membership, which includes the Dominican Republic, Somalia, Egypt and China.
Lewiston Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Melissa Hue met with the LYAC on Feb. 1 to brainstorm about the event. “I am so impressed with the creativity that LYAC members are demonstrating in planning this event,” Hue said. “Opportunity lives in Lewiston, and that certainly includes diversity and belonging. This event will enable individuals to personally experience what others have to share.”
“Lewiston is one of the most diverse cities in Maine, and I’m glad that this event will be showcasing the different cultures and peoples of our city,” Mayor Carl L. Sheline said.
