Strength in Every Story: 2026 Power of Voice

CBFY hosted our 2026 Power of Voice Youth Conference at the Central Library on March 21, 2026. More than 350 students attended the event, which empowers youth to use their voices to make a positive impact on their community. 

Power of Voice is a platform where newcomer youth can come together to develop a stronger understanding of voice, identity, and well-being. The theme of this year’s conference was “Strength in Every Story.”  Through guest speakers, youth panel discussions, and live performances, the conference explored topics of self-expression, mental health, and resiliency.

This year’s Power of Voice was filled with joy, energy, and hope. We hope you left feeling empowered, heard, and ready to continue using your voice in your communities and beyond! Thank you for being a part of something so special.

If you attended this year’s conference, here are some photographs to relive the day! If you missed it, we hope the photographs give you an idea of how incredible this event truly is for newcomer youth, their families, and all of us here at CBFY.

 

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Power of Voice possible!

 

Shoutout to all these organizations, businesses and people for sponsoring this event and donating prizes!

-The Calgary Public Library

-WOW Chicken

-Aliki’s Art House

-Calaway Park

-Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park

-Hangar Flight Museum

-Laser City

-Olympic Oval

-Seafood City

-Vertigo Theatre

-Westside Recreation Centre

-YMCA

-Jaydaa Alhaddad

 

Thank you to all the amazing community organizations who set up an info booth!

-AARC

-Alcove Centre for the Arts

-Antyx Community Arts

-Bow Valley College

-Calgary Newcomers Guide

-Calgary Police Service

-FANS Foundation

-SAIT

-Trellis Society

 

Thank you to our inspiring guest speakers!

-Zabeda Yaqoob (Alberta Human Rights Commissioner)

-Tahmina Azimi (Poster Contest Winner)

-Larissa Crawford

-Youth Panelists Kantochukwu Anikwe, Yumna Othman, Saima Walizanda, and Mira Ibelo

-Roza Aloma

-Bethel Afework

 

And our talented performers for keeping us entertained all day long!

-BM Empire Dance Crew

-Sarina Aref Zadeh

-Yeganeh Narouni & Valeria Yurieva

-3Ds: The Band

-CBFY’s K-Pop Dance Group

-Beryl Xuan

-Hunzai Crew

-Ian Sadio

-Bamileke Community of Calgary

-All the fashion show models!