2021 Next Level Leader Youth Engagement Conference – May 17,19,22

Posted by City of Philadelphia on May 4, 2021

We all know that the pandemic has adversely and disproportionately impacted the youth in our city. It has especially impacted the young people of color in areas of safety, education and mental health.

In order address this challenge, we must first focus on healing and cultivating our youth. The Philadelphia Youth Leadership Council will sponsor the 2021 Next Level Leaders Virtual Youth Engagement Conference on May 17, 19, and May 22, 2021. 

The week long, three day conference kicks off with Teen Empowerment Day, May 17, from 4:30 – 6 pm with five capacity building workshops including:

Mental Peace, a workshop that provides guidance for youth struggling with mental health challenges such as depression and isolation issues;

Breaking the Self Care Code, a workshop guide to teaching youth how to overcome the challenges of isolation, virtual learning, the lack of school activities and social interaction;

Youth Lives Matter, a response to the high number of teen victims to violence during the pandemic,

How to Hustle Hard and Win, a workshop on financial independence and entrepreneurship for teens, and a Shark Tank Preparation workshop – note: 6pm – 7 pm.- providing a step-by-step guide to teens in preparing a business proposal and giving a pitch at a Shark Tank event.

Youth participating in the Shark Tank event must take How to Hustle Hard and Win and Shark Tank Prep to qualify for Shark Tank finals on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

Speak up Speak Out Youth Forum

On Wednesday, May 19, the conference continues with the Speak Up- Speak Out, Youth Forum from 4:30 – 6 pm with the subject matter experts including Richard Washington, Educator, Founder of BET (Bringing Everyone Together), Iran Jackson, Prevention Specialist, Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence, Network, Sarah Ashley Andrews, Founder of DARE2HOPE, and Dr. Leslie Grace, Educator/Entrepreneur, author of Words, Family, Finance and Freedom and “The Post Pandemic Guide to Thrive – Evolve or Die”.

Speed Networking 

On Saturday, May 22nd, the conference will bring professionals from across the nations for Speed Networking. PYLC has assembled Urban Professionals from across the nation including:

• Dr. Keith L. Marshall, author of “From Faith to Freedom: From Dumpster to Doctor,
• Media Strategist Aleta Anderson, Producer of Miss Black America Television Special,
• Michelle Snow, Career Coach, and CEO of Grow with Snow, Inc.,
• Dr. Consir Thot, Master Therapist and Doctor of Holistic Medicine,
• Natasha Harris, Business Owner, Broken Wings Literacy Center, and author of” It Will Take Love to Heal These Broken Wings “and
• Wanda Walker, Community Leader and Entrepreneur.

The highlight of the conference will be a Teen Shark Tank event (May 22, 11- 12noon)awarding funding and prizes for aspiring teen entrepreneurs.

There will also be grand prize drawing for youth who participated in all three days of the conference (1^stPrize $150; second prize $100 and Third prize $50.00) Preregistration ends May 7 , 2021.  Email or call Mr. Rice at 215-847-7415 or email:  michael.rice@phila.gov.