Inspired by the Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity helped start the Latino Youth Conference as way to combat dropout rates of Latinx students and challenge the stigma that members of the Latinx population do not pursue degrees in higher education. This April, Sigma Lambda Beta will host their 17th annual Latino Youth Conference that serves over 285 young Latino men.

The Latino Youth Conference costs around $8,900 to put on annually, which includes catering, table and room rental, participant materials, speaker fees, marketing costs and various other expenses. While we do receive funding from the university and conference registration fees, it is crucial for us to raise to enough money to cover the costs of our conference for the next year. Our goal during Giving Bearnanza is to raise $1,500 to help ensure that we can host this conference for young Latinos in our community.

When you make a gift to the Latino Youth Leadership Conference, you are supporting conference workshops on topics such as: leadership, self-esteem/positive self-image, and promotion of higher education. Additionally, your support provides the 50+ student volunteers from various groups across campus the opportunity to act as mentors for the young Latinos attending the conference. This helps foster leadership skills, communication skills, and increased confidence for our UNC students who participate as mentors.

We hope you will consider supporting UNC and the Latinx community; every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.