Michigan’s longest-running teen conference will host 380 students from 41 different schools and agencies at Wayne State University on Oct. 23 to teach inclusion and tolerance. “We show teens what they have in common. It’s that simple,” said Giant Step Co-Chair Richard Thomas. “Once you get to know a person, you see how much alike you are. That’s how you build respect and friendship.”

Giant Step coincides with Mix It Up at Lunch Day, an international campaign to encourage students to identify, question and cross social boundaries.

Ninth- and 10th-graders from urban, suburban, public, private, charter, parochial, magnet and home schools attend Giant Step. Each student joins a discussion group that is diverse across race, culture, religion, ethnicity and income. “The students are wary at first. All those faces they don’t know,” said Cheryl Deep, conference coordinator for Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, which hosts Giant Step. Trained facilitators guide open interactions on topics like bullying, disabilities, parents, self-image, career plans and conflict. “Facilitators get everyone talking; a few hours later, students are connecting on Instragram. It’s a wonder to behold.”

Arianna Quan, the first Asian American to be named Miss Michigan, will keynote. Her family immigrated from China when she was 6. She wants to make teens aware of how difficult it can be to fit in as an immigrant and to help young people find common ground. The event fits well with Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute’s mission to improve the welfare of children and their families. “Giant Step’s motto is ‘Inclusion, Harmony, Acceptance,’’ Co-Chair Sonya Thomas said. “Getting to know someone you might not encounter in your everyday school or neighborhood can change attitudes for life.”

At conference end, students “report out” on what they learned. Some sing, rap or dance their reports. Comments following the 2017 event included:

                “Speak out if you see someone bullied or treated bad.”

                “Getting to know people isn’t as hard as you think it will be. Everyone deserves a chance.”

                “Be true to yourself and be open to other opinions.”

                “Everyone is unique but all have some things in common. We’re all people.”

Evaluations show that after Giant Step, at least 90 percent of students were more likely to approach a teen who seems different, to find talking with teens from different backgrounds interesting and educational, and to stay in touch with students they met at the conference.

Giant Step will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Wayne State’s Student Center Ballroom, 5221 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI 48202. Major sponsorship is provided by the Co-Ette Club of Detroit, GM Driving Diversity Group, PNC Bank, Christ Church Detroit, Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation and MGM Grand Detroit.

For details, visit https://mpsi.wayne.edu/outreach/teen-conference.

The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child & Family Development promotes and improves the development, health and well-being of infants, children, youth and their families through research, education and outreach. The institute is part of Wayne State University, a premier urban research institution offering nearly 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 27,000 students.