“Let Diversity Shine” is the next undertaking by the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council as its members strive 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,” said Chair Elissa Nadeau, according to a news release from Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston’s community relations coordinator.
Lewiston residents can submit a form expressing their interest in participating at lewistonmaine.gov. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 1, and the council is anticipating an early spring event.
Each selected participant will have an assigned table to showcase origin, culture or ethnicity. Council members will review submissions to select a balanced representation of individuals within Lewiston and to select submissions that best reflect the event theme.
In addition, 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.
“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,” said Mayor Carl Sheline.
“I am so impressed with the creativity that LYAC members are demonstrating in planning this event. Opportunity lives in Lewiston, and that certainly includes diversity and belonging. This event will enable individuals to personally experience what others have to share,” said Lewiston Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Melissa Hue.
“This will be an exciting opportunity to appreciate the positive impacts that diversity has on Lewiston,” said LYAC member Samiira Noor.
Since its membership is very diverse in nature, the council will also have a table at the event, to include the United States, Dominican Republic, Somalia, Egypt and China.