CHAMPION — The Inspiring Minds after-school programs offer awareness, education and experiences to underserved students in grades 3 to 12 from its Warren and Youngstown locations.

The fourth annual IMpower Youth Conference offered additional opportunities to learn and grow on Saturday at Kent State University at Trumbull, where more than 100 students came together to learn as well as have fun.

“We hold this event during Black History Month to bring the youth together and expose them to so many more different activities and knowledge,” said Jalaya Provitt, program director for Inspiring Minds.

The day began in the auditorium with a line dance to the song, “I Look Good,” by Charlie Boy led by master of ceremonies and Inspiring Minds instructor Cami Cobb-Davis.

“It gets their energy up before the breakout sessions,” Davis said.

There were eight informal talks that consisted of wellness with the topic of mental health that licensed social worker Toni Blake presented. Also financial wellness tips were presented by Sherri Bercheni, a Chase Bank employee.

Bercheni discussed budgeting, reasons to save money and how to make your money grow through investments and bank accounts.

Physical activity sessions included Boxing 101 presented by Letavyen Powell and “The Art of Stepping,” that Rishanda “Party Ray” Ray presented.

“Party Ray,” had students using movement for expression and stress relief. She also told them about her Empowered Arts Performance teams she has created that feature drumlines, step teams and majorettes.

As part of Black History Month, Neil Heller, a military veteran and retired assistant chief for the Warren Fire Department, presented “Politics and Black History.”

“Why is history important?,” Heller asked. “Because what happened 5,000 years ago, five years ago or even five minutes ago will affect you in the future.”

He reminded them if they are not aware of history, it could repeat itself.

Heller discussed the slave trade in western Africa. He informed the students of how the men and women were marched across the country to be held in castles built on the coast of Ghana until they left by ship to the United States. He mentioned the five countries involved with the slave trade and the castle in Ghana is now a tourist site that helps people understand what their ancestors experienced as slaves.

Other creative endeavor sessions included “The Fundamentals of DJing presented by DJ Kickdrum” and a poetry session with Kieonna “Kiwi” Marshall, who had the students think about the meaning of poetry, write short poems in certain styles and watch a youtube video of students reading their own spoken word poems.

“I hope to have a place locally to host weekly open sessions for students to express their emotions through words,” Marshall said.

Dr. Choniece Phillips, a former Inspiring Minds student, gave a presentation, “Inspiring the Future.”

“I was an Inspiring Minds student before you had your building. It helped me do things out of my comfort zone. The trip to Puerto Rico was my first plane trip and the college visits helped me decide to attend Duquesne University,” Phillips said.

She graduated with her doctor of pharmacy degree and is now the emergency department pharmacist at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

The day also included lunch, hanging out with friends, meeting new students who will become friends and a golden ticket drawing for prizes at the end of the day. Each session presenter gave the names of two students who were the stars of the session. Their names were put in the Golden Ticket drawing.