WE Day is on at Bell MTS Place today, where thousands of students from across Manitoba are being told to make their voices heard.

Head of operations management for WE Day Carly Bedini says kids at the event learn how to create change in their communities.

"They're learning that it's okay and really cool to care, and they're learning about what it means to get to know strangers, make friendships with them, and be able to walk away being able to create change and be inspired by one another," says Bedini.

One of this morning's guests was NBA all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who participated in an on-stage Q & A.

"Change will never happen if people don't stand up because if you don't get off your butt, what about the guy next door? He's not going to get off his butt," Abdul-Jabbar told the crowd, in response to a question. "The way that people are stating their needs and their wants, we have to support them, vocally, we have to support them at the ballot."

Bedini says everyone in the audience today is part of the WE Schools program, which engages students throughout the year.

This is the eighth time WE Day has been in Manitoba.

Donald Street and Edmonton Street will be closed from Portage to St. Mary from 1:30 to 3:30 this afternoon so buses can pick up students.