EdVenture hosts 2017 BeABoss Youth Summit on Saturday, March 25
March 20, 2017
The BeABoss Youth Summit will be held at EdVenture Saturday, March 25 for the second year. More than 200 sixth to tenth grade students from across South Carolina, eager to plan for their futures and careers, will be in attendance for this free one-day event at the museum.
Chef Jeff Henderson, celebrity chef, best-selling author and motivational speaker, will be the keynote speaker for the second year, encouraging attendees to identify personal talents and reach goals, no matter life’s circumstances. Colonial Life President and CEO Tim Arnold will give an opening message of encouragement to attendees.
“This is our third collaborative project with Chef Jeff Henderson,” said Karen Coltrane, EdVenture president and CEO. “We know the power his story has to change young people’s lives, and we are grateful to Colonial Life for helping bring him back to EdVenture. We are also thrilled that so many community leaders are giving up their Saturday to inspire and give back.”
Thirty-five community leaders will be hosting tables during the Summit’s Lunch and Learn, including Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin; Mac Bennett, president and CEO of United Way of the Midlands; Tyrone Ellis, EdVenture board member and vice president of Global Integrated Supply Chain, Ingersoll Rand and Club Car; Calvin “Chip” Jackson, Richland County Council member for District 9; DeAnna Bookert, Columbia Community Relations Council program manager, and Dr. Craig Witherspoon, superintendent Richland School District One. Summit participants will also interact with college admissions representatives, corporate recruiters and volunteer organizations to understand better the skills needed for future success.
Students will participate in interactive breakout sessions that emphasize self-efficacy and critical workforce development skills, and allowing them to explore their personal and professional aspirations. The session topics and schedule were developed by EdVenture Museum Apprentices, the organization’s middle and high school-aged volunteer corps, and will feature Darion McCloud, founder and creative of NiA Theatre Company; Merrit Jones, founder of Student Space; and Tiffany Collins and Dakota Deluca, EdVenture master educators. The Summit’s Lunch & Learn session with Midlands’ government and business leaders offers a unique and effective way for the participants to connect with adult mentors and discuss their personal and professional goals.
“This is only the second year of the Youth Summit, and within a few days, registration was full, and we had a long waiting list,” said EdVenture’s Executive Vice President Nikki Williams. “We work all year with children from every background and see first-hand that some have more support than others when navigating their at-risk years. This Summit provides mentorship and resources so our state’s youth can envision their positive future. I just wish we could reach every child who needs this positive experience.”
“We know that we have to inspire our young people to connect academic success with workforce readiness,” said Dr. John Dozier, chief diversity officer and senior associate provost for inclusion at the University of South Carolina and EdVenture’s Board chair. “This Youth Summit brings community leaders together to make that connection and inspire two hundred young people on one very special day. This level of impact is why I and my fellow EdVenture Board members give our time and resources all year.”
About EdVenture
The mission of EdVenture is to inspire children to experience the joy of learning. EdVenture is dedicated to lifelong learning through its 92,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor interactive exhibit space and in its educational outreach programs and afterschool programs. The museum has welcomed visitors from all 50 states and 18 foreign countries, creating shared experiences and memories for families learning together. For more information about EdVenture, visit www.edventure.org or call 803-779-3100.
