8 min read | Written By: Lydia Bigcraft, Photos By: Maegan Castleton Music played in the background of a focused session of the Men of Hope program, as the young men of Salt Lake Valley Detention intently drew artistic portraits they felt represented their ideal form of masculinity. Looking around the room, it was clear that most of the young …
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, it made for an eventful and hope-filled Topaz Art Pilgrimage, organized by the Friends of Topaz Museum and held on May 2-4, 2024. The event paid tribute to the 10,000 people of Japanese descent who were incarcerated at the WWII …
“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 group of young system-involved youth through the mural painting process.
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 day. The students were offered a rare opportunity to see the Delta Center almost completely empty, a contrast to the nearly full arena just a few hours later. The halls may have been empty but the court was filled with …
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 Are System-Involved The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs’ mission is to promote a climate that inspires belonging in Utah. The MCA fellowship program exposes young leaders to an opportunity for service, mutual learning, and the workings of state government. The development of …
Amplifying the Voices of Utah’s Mariachis
3 minute read | More than 400 people attended Sones de Mariachi en Utah on Aug 30, the state’s first-ever competition and exhibition showcasing the popular Mexican folk music.
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 grantees across rural Utah! These organizations have helped us better understand the needs of our growing and increasingly diverse communities. We have been on a captivating journey of inspiration, connection and learning through our time in Logan and Moab, but …
Magnify Utah West Side Tours Workshops: Celebrating Stories Through Place
5 minute read | The West Side Tours initiative is a collection of StoryMaps, which are web-based maps that draw on the power of visual elements and geography to tell a story.
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 campuses were invited to the Utah State Capitol to participate in a roundtable discussion. This event brought together 13 students from five Utah colleges and universities to talk about their goals, challenges, and hopes regarding welcoming climates on their campuses. …
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 Utah This Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, Utah’s MLK Jr. Human Rights Commission organized an event to commemorate the legacy of the iconic civil and human rights advocate. Dr. King left a lasting impact not only through his …
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 Salt Lake — “Stay Motivated” is the bold, inspiring message anchoring a new mural decorating the basketball gym at Salt Lake Valley Youth Center, formerly known as the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center. It’s also a personal motto for graffiti artist …