Good day and blessings.
On behalf of our teenage generation who needs us more today than ever before, please consider supporting and / or participating in this event, and sharing this information among your circles of influence:
Happy Black History Month, sisters and brothers, and those to whom it should concern:
As my “calling" is to uplift the quality of life and learning for our young generation in a country and media-based society seemingly more intent on turning our children into prisoners and prostitutes rather than productive, positive people, I am currently organizing The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo Presents FAME: Fashion, Art, Music & Education in New York City, summer 2009. And to ensure we consistently engage as many youth as possible, the expo is being planned as a semi-annual event, and currently scheduled to be held in Atlanta, winter 2010, and in Detroit, summer 2010.
Designed to enrich the hearts, minds, bodies and spirits of today’s male and female teenagers between 12 and 18 years of age, the expo will expand perspectives, critical thinking, access to local programs and resources, capabilities and confidence levels, and narrow achievement gaps, technology divides and drop-out rates.
The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo will feature FAME (fashion, art, music and education), a proven “edu-tainment” model that leverages our teenagers’ interests in fashion, art and music while integrating effective educational approaches to stimulate their academic achievement, as well as social and professional development.
Here are the primary goals of the NBTEE:
1. Strengthen our teenagers’ minds, hearts, bodies and spirits to help them rise above and overcome the all-too-many negative influences of society, media, environment and peer pressure.
2. Instill within our teens a greater understanding of economics and politics (in conformance with New York State social studies and politics standards) so they know how to command change in their communities, and become influential citizens and enlisted activists in the process and progress.
3. Better connect teens to groups and caring citizens so they achieve academically and succeed professionally.
4. Strengthen communication and collaboration among youth and community resource providers so that our children are more consistently aware of and involved in available programs and services.
5. Provide more recognition of and support for community, youth and educational resources, and find better ways to get them to our children on the streets and in the schools.
6. Attract and supply tutors and mentors for participating youth.
7. Promote discussions about and delivery of effective ways to reach and teach today’s young generation.
8. Build stronger “working” relationships with students and in schools.
9. Develop consistent initiatives that uplift communities of teenagers.
The NBTEE will also bring together, under one roof, many community and youth service providers so that we can begin to build a collaborative support system for our younger generation, locally and regionally, and work towards the formation of a national youth movement with strength in numbers and political clout.
To date, more than 135 groups and individuals throughout the country have indicated an interest in supporting and / or participating in the NBTEE, including:
Access To Arising Artists (New York City)
Agnes Johnson (New York City)
AJ – The A Spot (Atlanta)
Amanda Gayle (New York City)
Andrea M. McCaskill (Detroit)
A.R.A.H.A.S. Productions (New York City)
ARISE Detroit! (Detroit)
Armory Track (New York City)
Asunte, Inc. (Atlanta)
Ballet International Africans (New York City)
Black and Male in America (New York City)
Black Educators of Excellence (New York City)
BOAN Consults, LLC (Savannah, GA)
Brooklyn College (New York City)
Center For Educational Outreach (Ann Arbor, MI)
Chauncey Hanshaw (Baltimore)
Cheryl Lacey Donovan (Houston)
CKG Ministries (New Jersey)
Coy Creations (Houston)
Denise Williams International (Atlanta)
Devin Robinson (Atlanta)
Divalicious, Inc. (New York City)
Divine Essence (Phoenix)
DLC Youth Ministry (Baltimore)
Doll E Daze Project (Mansfield, MA)
Dr. Barbara Murrell (Atlanta)
Dr. Darryl Tukufu (Tennessee)
Dr. Deborah Sims (Virginia)
Dr. James C. Perkins (Detroit)
Encourage Me I’m Young (Detroit)
EZ Wear Classic Clothing (San Ramon, CA)
Frances A. Jackson (North Carolina)
Frederique Porter Photography (Washington, DC)
Freedom Industrialists (Bluefield, WV)
Fusicology (Detroit / Los Angeles)
Gina M. Jackson (San Diego)
Good News TV Network (Detroit)
Hamilton & Associates Consulting (Gardena, CA)
HBCU Kidz (Virginia / Florida)
Historical Inspirations (Baltimore)
Hustler’s University (Atlanta)
Informed Decisions (New York City)
Ja’Ski (Washington, D.C.)
Jerry Craft (Connecticut)
Jordan Coleman (New Jersey)
Jullien Gordon (New York City)
Katika Mercer (Baltimore, MD)
Kimi Rhochelle (Inland Empire / Los Angeles, CA)
L.E.A.D. (Florida)
Lisa Morris (New York City)
Lovely & Delicious Enterprises, Inc. (Atlanta)
Macy’s (New York City)
Majestic Entertainment News (New York City)
Marilyn Jones (Houston)
Mark Anthony (New Jersey)
Mia Cruz (New York City)
Mozell Fleming (Orlando)
National Alliance of Black Student Educators
Not Ur Momma’s News (Houston)
PortraitEFX of Middlesex (New Jersey)
Prisonworld LIVE (Atlanta)
Project Fr3sh (Chicago)
Property of God Management (Detroit)
Safe Horizons (New York City)
Shay Date Guide, LLC (Atlanta)
Smells Good Team (North Carolina)
The Black Child Rites of Passage Program (New York City)
The Black Economic Advocacy Party (New York City)
The Black Star Project (Chicago)
The 1st Law Network (New Jersey)
The Master Griot Project (Philadelphia)
The Write Stylz PR Firm (Atlanta)
Thunder X (New York City)
The Single Parent Resource Center Youth Leadership Program (New York City)
Ultimate Events (Las Vegas)
Urban Chic (New York City)
Urban Leadership Institute (Baltimore)
W. Skeet Jiggetts (New Jersey)
Warren Green (Atlanta)
Wayne Harris (New York City
www.bigtimebiz.com (New York City)
www.blackpeopleone.comwww.dynamicyouth.org (International)
www.h2ionline.com (Ann Arbor, MI)
www.HBCU247.com (New Jersey)
www.ourblacknetwork.com (Los Angeles)
www.showcasemagdir.com (New Jersey)
www.streetpositive.com (San Bernadino, CA)
Please note the above list doesn’t completely represent the substantial outpouring of interest and support from individuals via social media networks, or else, and if I’m overlooking any one in anyway, do let me know, with my genuine apologies. Many of these impressive individuals and groups are already involved in essential work with our children and communities, and some will serve on the NBTEE local or national planning committees, and / or ensuing sub-committees relevant to their specific area(s) of expertise. Collectively, we will initially establish sponsor and funding sources, develop marketing communication strategies and products, and then create the powerful education programming and highly creative curriculum for the expo(s).
The participation of fashion designers, models, artists and artisans, musical acts, performers, “edu-tainers”, vendors, etc., as well as promotional support via media and Internet resources, is also vital to the NBTEE’s success.
If we are supportive, strategic and creative in ensuring this first event is created to collectively benefit all those it engages, we will transform the way our communities better support their children, and simultaneously arrive at better ways to reach and teach today’s teenagers.
The NBTEE has recently received the full endorsement of The National African American Congress and its more than 300 members strong. We, too, are at our best and strongest when we work together towards a common cause and greater good. Thus, your input, feedback, suggestions, support and potential participation is greatly valued as gratefully appreciated.
Please feel free to reach me at rgordon@uniteedesign.com, or directly at 734.395.3079.
We have all the required resources to enrich the quality of learning and life for our younger generation. Now, let’s prove it.
R. Lee Gordon
www.uniteedesign.comwww.betterdetroityouth.orgwww.nbtee.org (coming Winter ’09)
www.greaternewyorkyouth.org (coming Summer ’09)
WHAT: The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo Presents FAME: Fashion, Art, Music & Education
The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo is the first event of its kind solely dedicated to uplifting African-American teenagers, and achieving greater levels of youth and community activism.
Event goals are to: transform the way our communities support our children; engage teenagers using powerful forms of the arts and “edu-tainment”; assess and deliver better ways to reach and teach today’s teens; and help our children build stronger minds, bodies and souls. Participating youth will also be able to benefit from on-site mentoring and tutoring opportunities. Other important topics will include peer-to-peer empowerment, politics, economics and community involvement.
This two-day event will bring together a broad array of individuals and groups who want to enrich the quality of life and learning for our young generation. Through an appealing and comprehensive variety of teen “art-ivities”, forums, seminars and workshops, we will help to flourish the promise and potential that lives within each of our children. Every teenager will be empowered to establish goals, be engaged in productive and positive activities, and be inspired by his and her proud history, beautiful heritage and accomplished culture.
The ultimate hope of the 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo is that every participating youth take home the inspiration and confidence to believe, achieve and succeed, and be committed to bettering our people and planet.
This event will incorporate the FAME (fashion, art, music & education) model developed by The Better Detroit Youth Movement (BDYM) and UniTee Design, Inc., FAME helps to rally our communities; demonstrate to our children the power and beauty of the many genres of fashion, art and music; and create an “edu-tainment” event that appeals to participants and audience alike. FAME is an effective way to engage children and teens in positive, productive and constructive “art-ivities” that create critical-thinkers, and more disciplined and well-rounded academic achievers.
The educational component of FAME actively supports the development of professional, social and business skills in our children via teen empowerment, rites of passage, health, fitness and nutrition topics, and entrepreneurial and professional development curriculums. Based on its successes in effectively engaging and enriching children, FAME is now being developed by The BDYM as an after-school program for Detroit high schools.
While primarily designed to uplift teenagers, the expo will also benefit many others:
Provides vending, exhibiting and sales opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, artisans and others.
Provides promotional opportunities for community and youth groups, youth educators, motivational speakers and / or others (to share information, and solicit financial support and volunteerism, etc.).
Provides promotional and / or sales opportunities for entertainers, fashion designers, models, hair designers and others.
Provides the general public ways to support our youth in each event market and beyond.
WHO: Those of us committed to working together to improve the quality of life and learning for our youth. A variety of individuals and groups will have an opportunity and forum to empower our teen population at this event:
Artists and Artisans
Musicians
Vocalists
Comedians
Spoken Word Artists
Performance Artists
Dancers
DJs
Fashion Designers
Models
Hair Designers
Photographers
Videographers
Video Game Developers
Community Groups
Youth Educators
Youth Groups
Health, Fitness and Nutrition Experts
Local Businesses and Business Professionals
Community Activists
Community Leaders
Politicians
Media
And More . . .
WHEN: August, 2009
WHERE: New York City (venue TBD)
WHY: To prove Black America has all the resources necessary to uplift the quality of learning and life for today’s young generation.
HOW: “If we can move a Black Man into The White House, just imagine where, together, we can take our children!”
If you’d like to be a part of The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo, or for more information, please contact R. Lee Gordon at 734.395.3079 or rgordon@uniteedesign.com.
Let it be known that the NBTEE embraces the support and welcomes the participation of all cultures and ethnic groups who can strengthen our mission and benefit from it.
UniTee Design is a Black Youth Education & Empowerment Enterprise. Our products and programs uplift our people, and inspire our children to believe, achieve and succeed. We are currently working on a Black Economics initiative to hold our elected public officials (politicians) accountable for their demonstrated contributions to our communities, and a Black Child rites of passage program that will help today’s youth become influential citizens and tomorrow’s leaders.
The Better Detroit Youth Movement is a volunteer-driven, grassroots, non-profit group that is bringing together caring citizens and providing them many ways to work with students and schools to improve the future for Detroit’s young generation. Plans are underway to build youth movements in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Oakland and Los Angeles.
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