Los Angeles, CAB What are the issues affecting today's Black youth?
Is it kids shooting kids? Information overload? Or, is it just not enough
paper, pens, and books in the schools? And what can we, and they, do about
it?
Author and advocate Tavis Smiley (host of BET Tonight, author of Doing
What's Right has announced the formation of the Tavis Smiley Foundation
and its inaugural program, Youth to Leader, to assist youth in answering
these and other questions for themselves.
Youth to Leaders is an annual seri4es of free, one-day conferences where
young African Americans aged 14-18, will set the agenda for the issues
affecting them and then design their own solutions.
Youth to Leaders calls upon young people to see that they have the ability
to change their own lives, the lives of their classmates, the country,
and even the world. It all begins with understanding that we each are called
to leadership,'says Smiley.
Youth to Leaders >Wired and Tuned In' conferences will be held is six
cities this summer: Detroit, Chicago July 8), Philadelphia (Aug. 5), Atlanta
(Aug. 26), Los Angeles (Sept. 23), and Washington, D.C. (Oct. 21).
Entrance is competitive, and students must be nominated by an adult
or a nominating organization.
Selected students will be led throu8gh a series of discussions and activities
designed to help them form a plan of action for making a difference in
their schools, communities, and the world.
Activities will keep the day lively, including opportunities for socializing
and networking. Alumni of the program will be served by ongoing development
an support programs of the Foundation. The goal is to identify, develop,
and sustain a growing body of committed, diverse, and capable leaders across
the United States. Smiley is also concurrently launching the Smiley Scholars
program to provide cash assistance to program alumni planning to attend
college.
The conference theme >Wired and Tuned In' emphasizes the need for young
African-Americans to understand how to access information and communicate
in an increasingly >wired' world. Hands on computer instruction focusing
on web search will be provided.
American Airlines, Coca Cola, AT&T, GVCINET.COM and Blackvoices.com
are the program's lead sponsors.
Youth to Leaders will be presented in Chicago on Saturday, July 8, 2000
from 9:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at DePaul University Conference Center, One East
Jackson Blvd., 8th floor. The distinguished panel of speakers
includes Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Dr.
Jawanza Kunjufu, Monique Caradine, Sybil Wilkes, State Senator Barack Obama,
and Tavis Smiley.
For more information on attending, volunteering, providing professional
assistance, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Tavis Smiley
Foundation at www.tavistalks.com, or
write: 3870 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 371, Los Angeles, CA 90008.