Virtual Town Hall: Equipping Creative Entrepreneurs Through Creative Youth Development

Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Click here to register for the Virtual Town Hall series.

Join us in discussing the transformative role of Creative Youth Development (CYD) in equipping young entrepreneurs for career success. Entrepreneurship brings innovation and adaptability to CYD, transforming how we shape vocational pathways for young individuals. This integration fosters a wholistic approach to personal and professional growth. We’ll dive into topics such as encouraging young people to think beyond traditional job roles, uplifting youth to take charge of their careers and preparing them to evolve in response to new opportunities.

• The Lewis Prize for Music will share entrepreneurship resources and data from their Producing Well-Being report and provide insights into how entrepreneurship intersects with CYD.

• Young entrepreneurs will share their perspectives on the crucial role of entrepreneurship in their current accomplishments and future careers. We'll hear about the programs they've accessed and the resources available for other emerging entrepreneurs. They will share their experiences and personal journeys in the world of entrepreneurship.

• The session will then move into interactive breakout rooms, allowing for a deeper exchange of ideas among all participants. This part of the event is designed to foster active engagement and collaborative learning.

• The conclusion of breakout sessions will involve groups reporting back to the larger assembly, ensuring a comprehensive sharing of insights and fostering a collective understanding of the topics discussed.
  

Our Expert Panelists:

• Anj Fayemi is the co-founder and CEO of Rivet, an AI-driven platform that helps artists and creator teams understand their fans and boost engagement. Rivet has won 1871’s Industry Disrupter Award and was named a Top 14 Creator Company by Business Insider. Anj studied engineering at MIT and Imperial College, with a minor in Theatre Arts, and is an active musician who has opened for Grammy-nominated 6lack. A Nigerian from a family of artists, he founded Rivet to solve the challenges he faced as a creator. Anj has worked at Blackrock and has been featured in Business Insider, Pitchbook, and BuiltIn.

• Victoria Standoak is a musician from Seattle, WA who began her career at 17 with The Bridge Music Project, a community songwriting non-profit. Over the past year, she has performed her original music across the U.S., from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and New York. Now 19, she is launching ISL, a business that promotes the idea that no matter your age, you will always learn something new about yourself, your life, and the world around you.

• Alonzo Wilson co-founded Delta Knight Gaming and grew up in Clarksdale, MS, a small town with limited activities for residents. From high school, Alonzo was driven to be a part of positive change in his hometown. This passion led him to explore new opportunities, from diverse jobs to meeting new people, all aimed at gathering ideas and strategies to enrich his community. Delta Knight Gaming is his latest venture, using gaming industry resources to offer alternative skill-building, socializing, and educational support.

In partnership with The Bridge Music Project, Future Founders, Griot Arts, and We Are Culture Creator.

Who Should Attend:

This Town Hall is ideal for Creative Youth Development, Opportunity Youth, Youth Workforce Development, and Community Development. It is an excellent opportunity for professionals to network, collaborate, and share successful practices that enhance young people's potential.

Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST / 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Click here to register for the Virtual Town Hall series.

This event will spotlight the role of Creative Youth Development (CYD) in fostering well-being and career pathways for youth. We'll explore the mental health and socio-emotional benefits offered through CYD. Join us as we discuss approaches integrating creative opportunities with developmental needs, going beyond basic essentials to support adolescents' growth.

• The Lewis Prize for Music will initiate the session by presenting key findings from its analysis of applications over five years, demonstrating the Creative Youth Development (CYD) sector’s dedication to youth well-being.

• The David’s Harp Foundation will follow, showcasing effective strategies for engaging young people and collaboratively evaluating their wholistic well-being journey through the programs.

• A panel discussion will feature experts from diverse fields, such as adolescent mental health and youth workforce development, to consider the implications of prioritizing CYD’s approaches. 

• The session will then move into interactive breakout rooms, allowing for a deeper exchange of ideas among all participants. This part of the event is designed to foster active engagement and collaborative learning.

• The conclusion of breakout sessions will involve groups reporting back to the larger assembly, ensuring a comprehensive sharing of insights and fostering a collective understanding of the topics discussed.

Our Expert Panelists:

• Dr. Adriana Galván, Professor of Psychology and Dean of Undergraduate Education at UCLA, is also the Co-Executive Director of the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent. A leading neuroscientist, her research focuses on adolescent brain development and its impact on behavior, aiming to inform policies for youth success. She is the author of The Neuroscience of Adolescence and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the White House Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

• Dr. Nia Imani Fields, Deputy Director of the National Youth Employment Coalition, is dedicated to advancing economic mobility for young adults nationwide. With a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership, her work focuses on the intersection of positive youth development, social capital, and social justice. Dr. Fields, a former professor at the University of Maryland, leverages her expertise to support synergistic efforts among organizations enhancing youth employment opportunities.

• Amy Price, Program Executive at the Zellerbach Family Foundation, has been instrumental in the Foundation’s Safety and Belonging investment area since 2011. With a rich background in public and community-based organizations, Amy works to transform youth and family systems in the Bay Area through advocacy and organizing. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Skidmore College. She actively serves on several boards that enhance the well-being of children, youth, and families.

Who Should Attend:

This Town Hall is ideal for stakeholders in the realms of Creative Youth Development, Opportunity Youth, Youth Mental Health, and Youth Workforce Development. It is an excellent opportunity for professionals to network, collaborate, and share successful practices that enhance the potential of young people.