By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

Hoards of orange-clad young people have swarmed the streets of Selma. It’s not a riot. It’s not a 100-person sports team.

It’s the Selma City-wide Youth Conference.

“Downtown is always so vibrant when the kids are downtown,” Councilwoman Angela Benjamin said. “It’s always been a downtown walking conference.”

The conference combines learning with activity by offering the workshops in different downtown buildings — like the Larry D. Striplin Performing Arts Center and City Hall. Participants walk from workshop to workshop.

Benjamin said the conference — which began Thursday and ends Saturday — has a focus on building relationships.

“There’s a disconnect with young people and their community,” Benjamin said. “They kind of run in their own little group.”

Topics of the workshops range from cyber bullying, to self-esteem, to life skills like how to write a resume and get a job.

“Every year I try to add something new to every venue,” Benjamin said.

Maybe the variety is what keeps them coming back. Conference participant Lequineale Rayford said he went to the conference last year, and is already hoping to go again next year.

“It’s pretty fun,” Rayford said. “You get to learn about the environment and how to become a leader.”

Leadership is a key element of the workshops.

“I want them to be positive leaders in their peer group,” Benjamin said. “It’s hard to do that … and I want them to learn how to dare to be different.”

The conference is open to 12 through 21-year-olds, with separate workshops for the 19-21 age range. It will end Saturday with a ‘fun day’ open to the public at Selma High School Field.