This past May 14, 2022, the 20th Anniversary of the Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference (CCYLC) was hosted at UC Davis after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the words of CCYLC organizers:
“Over the past 20 year, 30,000+ Latinx students, parents, teachers and community leaders have attended the CCYLC. The conference targets Latinx community college, high school and middle school students, teachers, parents, alumni and community leaders. Attendees come from as far away as Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, throughout the Central Valley; the Bay Area, San Francisco/Oakland, Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Cruz; as well as from the Sacramento Valley Napa, Santa Rosa and Eureka. We offer over 25 college workshops regarding college admissions requirements, college majors, financial aid and scholarships, career opportunities, Latino professional role models in business, community & public service, education, health, engineering, legal, research, law enforcement, computer science, STEM, cultural events and campus tours. We also sponsor a College Resource Fair with over 50 college and university recruiters. We have been blessed to have members of the Cesar Chavez family attend our conference every year over the past 19 years, including two of Cesar’s grandson’s, Andres & Anthony Chavez. Dolores Huerta, has also been a keynote speaker and is a regular attendee of the CCYLC.”
The 2022 CCYLC Mistress of Ceremonies was Ambassador Liliana Ferrera, Cónsul General of Mexico in Sacramento. Chancellor Gary S. May and Gloria Partida, Mayor, City of Davis, welcomed our students, teachers, parents, community leaders and elected officials from throughout Northern California. Our keynote speakers were Jose Hernandez, recently appointed as a University of California (UC) Regent, an author, an electrical and computer engineer, former NASA astronaut; and Manuel Calderon de la Barca Sanchez, Ph.D, renowned UC Davis Physics Professor.
“Education experts say the recent record number of 2022 applications to the University of California system — the highest in its 154-year history — points to progress in increasing the representation of students, addressing the need to boost enrollment of Latinos and other students of color.”
With a growing body of Latino youth in higher education, resources like the CCYLC are more important than ever.
“Chicano and Latino students were the largest ethnic group of freshman applicants for the third year in a row, at 38.1 percent, a 4.1 percent increase over the previous year, according to a recent University of California report.”
SF Chronicle
2022 Keynote Speakers
Jose Hernandez
CCYLC’s 2022 keynote speakers were Jose Hernandez, recently appointed as a University of California (UC) Regent, an author, an electrical and computer engineer, former NASA astronaut; and Manuel Calderon de la Barca Sanchez, Ph.D, renowned UC Davis Physics Professor.
Jose Hernandez worked along side with his family as farmworkers in the Central Valley. He understands the importance of academic achievement and preparation for the next generation of Latinx and students of color in Higher Education. He is the author of the book: “Reaching for the Stars.” Learn more about his story in the video below:
Manuel Calderon de la Barca Sanchez
Professor Manuel Calderon de la Barca Sanchez, born in Mexico, holds a Ph.D in Physics, showcased his film “Secrets of the Universe.” Watch the film trailer below:
The Future of CCYLC
CCYLC is a major project sponsored by the UC Davis Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association (CLAA) which includes over 250 UC Davis Latinx alumni, staff, students and community volunteers. We are incredibly grateful to CLAA and CCYLC for the important work they are doing to further education and resources in our community, and commend them for their dedication to uplifting youth through Cesar Chavez’s legacy. We are excited to announce the upcoming 2023 CCYLC!
21st Annual Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference: “Avanza Marching Toward Your Future”
Saturday, May 6, 2023
8 AM – 3 PM *Free*
University Credit Union Center, UC Davis
More information about CCYLC 2023 can be found here.
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