March Newsletter 06-17-21

The Young Ambassadors Program

Battling your trauma and your unique set of obstacles/circumstances can become the very qualities that distinguish you when entering the workforce.

Our program officially started April 25th – December 18, and is now beginning to pick up steam. (Check out the => Official Press Release) Thus far, young ambassadors have completed the first phase (Mental Awareness) with weekly workshops including “The Power of You” by clinical therapist Shanna Williams and “Principles of Passion”, by Chris Thomas (YP1 founder) and Joe Natal (Grow Exponential). Phase two (Entrepreneurship/Skills Mastery) has just started, including last weeks extraordinary workshop, “Turning Your Passion to Profits” led by Evan Price (Artist Collective, Rolling Stone Magazine). The program concludes with phase three(Execution). We are excited to see our young ambassadors fully engaged and preparing their projects together.

Project-Based Learning

Come meet our young ambassadors virtually and get a first look at their team projects on Sunday July 25th

Young ambassador’s (USA, Brazil, South Africa) have the opportunity to create two projects. They showcase an individual pitch project, which revolves around their passion and their story, and a team project which allows them to learn to work with others and apply their natural skills sets. All projects will be presented during the incredible MCH International Weekend & Workforce Readiness Music Festival this fall November 10-17, 2021 (7 days, 24hrs/day).

Team projects:

Each project is made up of members from multiple countries allowing young ambassadors to get international workforce experience.

Art/Fashion – The Fashion of Art Exhibition

Music – Dance Music Scene Awards

Entertainment – Sneaker Freaks Shoe Expo

Sports/Wellness – The Sports Complex Digi-Talks

Culinary/Nutrition – The Cooking Exchange – My Favorite Recipes

Upcoming Events

Come out to our first event this Saturday June 19 for Juneteenth!

We have a number of fundraising events during the year, where you will have an opportunity to come out and learn more about the work we’re doing, while having fun collaborating with other community members and businesses.

We have some awesome events lined up starting with Saturday’s “Workout for Wellness” event in collaboration with A Greater Good Foundation through December 18th, our end of the year YourPassion1st Gala.

Your support helps create

life-changing experiences!

June 19th:

Workout for Wellness

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Walther Christian Academy

900 w Chicago ave Melrose park

11:00am – 4:00pm

Friends and family will spend a day holistically nurturing theselves and supporting African American Culture. From local and black owned businesses, activities for kids, yoga, group fitness training, smoothies, and whole food nutrition, all are welcome and there is something for everyone!

Bring your children, grandparents, aunts, and uncles! If you have been looking for a safe space to get REFRESHED & RECONNECTED with the outside world, then we hope to see you there!

*Covid guidelines within Chicago will be in effect(Phase 5)

June 25 & 26th:

Reopening of Fulton Market (Chicago)

For this event there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor of Chicago on the 25th along with 10 blocks of action to include great food, live music, DJs, Live Art, Entertainment, community conversations, interactive kids activities, a highly anticipated DUNK TANK + more

July 26th

Virtual Summer Conference & International Summit

We are doing our best to wrap this around a ribbon cutting on Chicago Ave (TBD). Either way, this is the halfway point for the program where the young adults will have an opportunity to speak about the program and show you what they’re working on.

August 7th

Masonic Parade/Resource Fair/Bike Drive (Austin)

This will tee us up for the following weekend with our Historical Scavenger Hunt. On this day we are looking for bike donations and will have a bike fixing station and hoping to partner with Divvy or Working Bikes as well as a few other community organizations.

August 14th

Historical Scavenger Hunt (Austin & Oak Park)

This will be similar to last year but looking to add in the Virtual Reality component to include Brazil & South Africa in some way, shape and form.