Missoula program of BIPOC youth creating next generation of leaders [Video]

MISSOULA — When you think of after school activities, sports, music lessons, or maybe a nap may come to mind.

But a program in Missoula is taking after school activities to the next level by giving young people of color an opportunity to express themselves, learn, and find a community.

The program — the Association of BIPOC Youth or ABY — is one of the many after-school programs the non-profit organization EmpowerMT offers youth in Missoula.

“It’s essentially an affinity space or an after-school club for students of color. BIPOC [means] Black, Indigenous, People of Color,” said program co-founder and co-facilitator Lizzie Mills-Low. “It’s just for students who often don’t get that place in schools and in the community to come together and have a safe place to grow and learn and have community.”

Both Mills-Low and other co-founder Sylvie Tower agree that one of the biggest advantages of being part of the group is …