The Power of Presentation

Youth voices are being amplified through the Educate, Motivate, Innovate Initiative. The Educate, 
Motivate, Innovate (EMI) Initiative creates new spaces for young student voices to be amplified. When 
reflecting on their presentations, students express feeling like their voices are being hear and valued. 
Kareem Heshmat, shared how this opportunity made him feel. 
(Kareem) I enjoyed hearing what other students around the country are researching. We are the 
future and our voices are getting louder and louder through programs like these.
Kareem said, I feel empowered that my research is important and meaningful. 
The impact of these presentations can be measured the increased awareness of challenges and 
successes in this area. Carol Ramos, from the University of Puerto Rico, found the power of being seen in 
this way particularly empowering. 
(Carol) We can use our voice and our experience as a collective 
Students learn skills to push their work further & make work visible. By presenting with the EMI 
Initiative, not only are these young leaders feeling valued, they are developing skills that will enable 
them to push their work further. 
Ashley Logan, from Virginia State University, found the Initiative to be an opportunity to practice skills 
she doesn't often have opportunities to do: 
(Ashley) Going out and talking to these professionals, not just small talks but actually going into deep 
talks, it makes you practice more. I've done a lot but I never was actually the one that talked. I was 
the one that just did, just did it and hoped people, hopeful they follow. 
These young leaders are engaged deeply in the day to day work of environmental justice but typically 
have fewer opportunities to speak to audiences of professionals. The Educate, Motivate, Innovate 
Initiative provides an  opportunity to develop communication skills, which better positions these young 
leaders to be lifelong environmental justice advocates.