STORIES
Inspiring the next generation of leaders
On May 11, 2026, the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs welcomed 210 student leaders from 14 schools in Salt Lake…
Sara Dorsey
June 16, 2026
Introducing Utah’s New Multicultural Affairs Deputy Director
Eddy Thompson is the new deputy director of the Division of Multicultural Affairs. He brings a track record of service…
eweist
March 25, 2026
Tee Longhair | Guiding Culture and Community Spirit
4 min read | As a proud Ute woman, my life has been centered on family, community service, cultural teaching,…
Maegan Castleton
May 19, 2025
We are the Writers Who Hope | Reflections on the Power of Hope from System-Involved Youth
Lydia Bigcraft | 10 min read. Please enjoy a collection of workshop reflections by community partners, student fellows, and system-involved…
Maegan Castleton
May 15, 2025
A Journey of Support for System-Involved Youth: A Time of Kindness and Healing
7 minutes read. Through art, kindness, and community, we’ve partnered with several organizations to reach Utah’s most vulnerable youth.…
Maegan Castleton
April 15, 2025
Eileen Quintana | Carrying Forward Tradition and Community
4 min read | My story of Utah has been one of carrying deep cultural connections to the land, bringing…
Maegan Castleton
March 18, 2025
Ann Marie Sherman | Strength in Tradition, Commitment to Heritage
2 minute read | Though I was born in New Mexico and I spent most of my early years on…
Maegan Castleton
January 23, 2025
Multicultural Youth Leadership Summit: Empowering the Leader Within Each Youth
5 min read | Written By: Lydia Bigcraft. Header provided by Joel P. Jensen Middle School What does it look…
Maegan Castleton
January 10, 2025
Men of Hope: Generating Change by Using Hope as a Strategy with System-Involved Youth
8 min read | Written By: Lydia Bigcraft, Photos By: Maegan Castleton Music played in the background of a focused…
Maegan Castleton
July 16, 2024
Decades Later, How Hope and Dignity Blossom in the Desert: Topaz Art Pilgrimage
6 min read | By: Claudia Loayza A weekend of art, music, dust, wind, and Utah spring sun. All combined,…
Maegan Castleton
July 8, 2024
“Watch Us Grow” Mural: Hope and Healing at Weber Valley Youth Center
5 min read | By: Claudia Loayza Tracy Williams and Rob Pacheco were the collaborating mural artists who led the…
Maegan Castleton
June 12, 2024
The Hudson Family
1 min read | Our January 2020 move to St. George marked the second time that we have been Southern…
Claudia Loayza
April 23, 2024
The Huynh-Phung Family | My Family Diary
1 minute read | Thao and her three sons, Lee, Lou and Stephen know firsthand how moving to a new…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
The Barahona Family | My Family Diary
3 minute read | Gladys Barahona grew up in Central America in the country of Honduras surrounded by the loving…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
The Castaño Family | My Family Diary
3 minute read | Daniel Castaño grew up in Colombia surrounded by friends and family. His father passed on early…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
Thao Huynh | My Family Diary
2 minute read | Thao was born in Dalat, Vietnam, and emigrated to the United States in 1975, and later…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
Lee Phung | My Family Diary
3 minute read | Lee grew up in Vietnam and spent his early years with his mom in Vietnam. Later,…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
Lou Phung | My Family Diary
3 minute read | Lou was born in Saigon, Vietnam, but grew up primarily in the United States after his…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
Stephen Phung | My Family Diary
3 minute read | Stephen Phung was born in Delta, Colorado, after his family had emigrated to the United States.…
Maegan Castleton
March 28, 2024
Learn, Ask, Explore, and Practice: MLK Day Youth Jazz Event 2024
On Monday, January 15th, 2024, around 50 students and their guardians walked into a quiet area on a brisk winter’s…
Maegan Castleton
February 7, 2024
Writers Who Hope and Fellows Who Lead
Written by: Lydia Brooks, and Dr. Miguel Trujillo. Pictures by: Maegan Castleton An Emerging Leader Led Program for Youth Who…
Maegan Castleton
October 27, 2023
Investing in One Utah | Multicultural Affairs Visits Partners Across the State
Written by: Claudia Loayza Pictures by: Maegan Castleton The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs is on the road visiting our…
Maegan Castleton
September 8, 2023
Elevating Student Voices: Amplifying Emerging Leaders
Written by: Nayra Green and Jason Carrillo In late February, college leaders who are engaging in inclusion efforts on their…
Maegan Castleton
May 17, 2023
Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission: MLK Day Youth Event
By: Jason Carrillo, Edited By: MCA Team. Header photo taken by Utah State Office of the Governor Building the Beloved…
Maegan Castleton
January 31, 2023
THE BOLD COLORS OF HEALING
How a mural project led youth-in-custody to express new hope By Ellen Fagg Weist | Photography by Todd Anderson South…
Claudia Loayza
March 4, 2020
