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Speak Up & Shine invites you to explore what leadership looks like in your own life - to learn how to create spaces where everyone feels respected, included and can be their true selves. You will meet others who share your passion and discover how to speak up to support others and work together to create a lasting change in your schools, in your communities and beyond.

For more than 30 years, this annual leadership program has connected young women, girls and gender-diverse students with peers, allies and community leaders.

We are so glad that you are here. Today is all about celebrating your voice, your creativity and your power to make a difference. You are the next generation of changemakers.

As a part of Bullying Prevention Week, we are coming together to explore how we can create spaces where everyone feels respected and valued. Today, we challenge you to think big. Not just about taking action, but about caring deeply, making choices with integrity that strengthen not just our communities, but the people within them.

a message from our ceo: medora uppal

Welcome to Speak Up + Shine, hosted by YWCA Hamilton in partnership with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, and with the generous support of Sisters in Sync, the City of Hamilton, the John C. Holland Awards, the Black History Council, and Hamilton YOU Poets.

Today is a celebration of purpose and possibility—a day where young people from across Hamilton take center stage as the most important voices in the room.

More than 30 years ago, YWCA Hamilton launched Speak Up + Shine—originally known as the Totally Awesome Young Women’s Breakfast—in honour of former YWCA Hamilton CEO, Jill Rumble. This event was created to give young women, girls, and gender-diverse people the space to see their power, share their stories, and inspire one another. Over the years, Speak Up + Shine has grown and evolved, continuing to ignite confidence and connection among new generations of youth.

Today, we invite you to remember that your voices, experiences, and ideas matter. At YWCA Hamilton, we believe that our communities grow stronger when we listen to and learn from young people. What you say and do makes a difference. You are already shaping the future of your schools, your communities, and our city through your actions and ideas.

You’ve probably heard it before—but it bears repeating: the future lies in your hands. And while that might sound like a lot, you are not alone. YWCA Hamilton is here to stand beside you—to help you build a stronger, more inclusive, and more hopeful future for everyone. A future where you not only recognize the power within yourself, but also the collective power that young women, girls, and gender-diverse youth hold together.

Let’s use today as a launch pad—to turn your ideas into action and help create the world you want to see.

Your voice matters. When all our voices come together, we inspire our communities, our friends and neighbours to create something meaningful. Change can start from the smallest spark and grow into a movement that cannot be stopped. Each of you has the power to be that spark for change, lighting the way for a better world.

our guest speakers

Ainara Alleyne is a 16-year-old youth literacy advocate, writer and television host from Hamilton, Ontario. She is the creator and host of Ainara’s Bookshelf on TVOKids, where she highlights books by Black, Indigenous and other underrepresented authors.

Rachel Weinstock is a Mental Health Coach for Pre-Teens and Teens, Bullying Prevention Speaker, and author of the # 1 Amazon best-selling book, Be Who You Needed, a guide for adults helping young people build confidence, resilience and emotional well-being.

Ainara Alleyne

Ainara believes every child should see themselves reflected in the stories they read and learn from experiences different from their own. Her passion for reading and representation has made her a leading voice in Canadian youth literacy. In 2025, Ainara was recognized as one of the Top 10 Youth Changemakers by Children’s First Canada for her work in promoting diverse storytelling and empowering young readers.

Rachel Weinstock

Drawing from her own experiences of being bullied as a child and teen, she passionately empowers youth to reclaim their voice, embrace their worth, and create kind, inclusive communities. Through her coaching, workshops, and speaking, Rachel inspires young people to overcome challenges, uncover their strengths, and step boldly into their potential helping to shape a generation of compassionate, confident leaders who believe in themselves, the power of kindness, and the possibility of a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

our guest speakers

amani omar

Amani Omar (she/her) is a Somali-Canadian author, poet and visual artist based in Hamilton, Ontario.

Her work celebrates Black Muslim identity, Somali heritage and self-love through storytelling that bridges poetry and visual art. Amani’s debut collectively published book, Oceans Barwaaqo, explores themes of culture, belonging and resilience.

As a community leader with Hamilton You Poets, Amani facilitates writing and performance workshops for emerging artists of all ages. Her work has appeared in TRAD, PITCH, and Briarpatch magazines, and, together with her team at HYP, she received the 2022 GOG Award for Innovation in a Permanent Collection for Breaking The Vault: Art and Poetic Liberty at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

NEa reid

Nea Reid is a multidisciplinary artist, poetic storyteller and collaborative stargazer whose work illuminates the intersections of art, education and community.

To date, she has empowered over 24,000 emerging voices, earning six national and international championships and transforming stories into catalysts for connection and change.

A recipient of the CCTA Galaxy Award, MMVA, World Shorts, CBC Reel Black Award and Hamilton Arts Award for Community Arts and Education, Reid was also shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the City of Hamilton in 2022.

Sustainable, Resilient Communities Initiative (SRCI)

the global goals, our city, our voices

In 2015, countries around the world made 17 BIG promises called Global Goals (also known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

what change do you want to see?

Think about your school or your community.
What’s one thing that you would like to see change or improve? 

Now think about what could make your idea real.
Every big change starts with a plan. 

Who could help? 
List people, clubs, teachers, community members, or local leaders. 

What steps could you, and the people who can help, take?
Write 3–5 actions that could make your idea happen. 

What do you need?
List supplies, information, or support you’d need.

What could get in the way? How can you deal with it?

Why does the change matter?

memories from today

my notes

hamilton's youth strategy

your ideas matter. you matter

take the survey here.

Developed through extensive collaboration with youth, City staff, parents and community partners, the City of Hamilton’s Youth Strategy is a five-year plan designed to strengthen how the City engages with young people aged 14–29. Grounded in five key priority themes, the Youth Strategy makes sure that youth voices are integrated into decision-making.

Through the establishment of the HamOntYouth Steering Committee, youth will continue to play an active role in shaping Hamilton’s future. This strategy reflects the City’s commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive community where all young people thrive.

As part of the Speak Up + Shine project, you will get
the chance to share how your ideas and actions are taking
shape throughout the year. Visit the Speak Up + Shine
portal to post your updates, ask questions and stay
connected. Let’s keep the momentum going and
continue making a difference in communities.

Thank you to our partners & sponsors

We extend our heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners and sponsors for their generous support of Speak Up + Shine and their commitment to empowering young women, girls and gender-diverse students. Your contributions help create opportunities for young leaders to connect and grow into confident changemakers.  

Thanks to your partnerships, Speak Up + Shine can celebrate the resilience, leadership and power of youth voices across Hamilton.

Thank you for believing in young people and for building a more compassionate future together.   

In Partnership with:

Gift Bags provided by Beatties Office Supplies.

Thank you to our Youth Advisory Committee for their invaluable input and vision for today's event.