First-generation high school and college students of color will share personal stories about facing discrimination in the classroom. The free public panel takes place in Naperville on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The event, titled "Our Voices, Our Minds: BIPOC Youth Navigating Discrimination in Education," runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at North Central College's Wentz Science Center in Stevenson Hall, 131 S. Loomis St. ALMAS Community and North Central College are co-hosting. No registration is required.

The panel pairs Black, Indigenous and other students of color with mental health professionals who will offer clinical perspective on the experiences students describe. A community resource fair runs alongside the discussion, connecting families with local youth-serving and mental health organizations. The evening also includes entertainment, interactive activities and free food.

ALMAS will provide Spanish interpretation.

The ALMAS Youth Advisory Council is leading this year's program, according to the organization's event page. ALMAS describes "Our Voices, Our Minds" as a youth-led initiative that explores a different theme each year centered on the lived experiences of BIPOC youth.

A prior edition in 2024 focused on mental health, as NCTV17 reported. This year's theme shifts to discrimination inside schools.

ALMAS, which stands for Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs, was founded in April 2023 by Naperville residents Dr. Liliana Burciaga, Diana Torres Hawken and Laura Navarro, along with Elida Sughey Estrada of Bolingbrook. It is the first Latino-led and Latino-serving nonprofit based in Naperville, according to NCTV17. The organization has established partnerships with both District 203 and District 204.

About 10,000 Naperville residents identify as Latino, roughly 6.7% of the city's population, according to 2020 census data cited in NCTV17's coverage.

The event is also listed on the City of Naperville's official events calendar. Families, educators and community leaders are all invited.