The National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo (NBTEE) is: 1) discussing, determining and delivering better ways to reach and teach our TEENS; and 2) providing today’s TEENS multiple, alternative pathways to success (M.A.P.S.^™) and helping them develop personal, life and career skills.

The NBTEE is a non-profit, all-about-progress organization comprised of dedicated volunteers in New York City, Detroit, Baltimore, Atlanta, Houston and beyond.

To date, the NBTEE has connected with, and connects TEENS to, more than 1,300 youth groups, youth programs and youth educators nationally. (This e-mail is now reaching more than 30,000 good souls.)  Many of these individuals and groups are now community partners who collaborate with us on youth engagement, community outreach and coalition-building events and initiatives such as TEEN Hall Meetings, FAME (fashion, art, music & education), Live-in-Peace Art Parties, scholarship fairs, and more.

To truly benefit participating TEENS at The National Black TEEN Empowerment expo(s), it is critical to ensure a well-rounded representation of community-based organizations and youth resources are in attendance that can help to constructively engage TEENS every day so they are consistently inspired to excel in school and life.

These resources will offer TEENS opportunities and options that match their interests and intelligence type(s); and, strengthen our TEENS’ personal and character development, life skills, social skills and career readiness skills.

By connecting our TEENS to these positive, productive options and opportunities in their respective communities, we're hoping they will be better prepared, on a daily basis, to overcome the all-too-many risk factors associated with being a Black TEEN in today's society.

Thus, we are refocusing our efforts on first organizing and hosting community-based Black Youth Stakeholders Summits that will give us an opportunity to secure the commitments of various community-based organizations and youth resources to take part in the expos, and to ensure we provide optimal benefit to participating TEENS.  These summits will also hope to accomplish the following goals:

·                   attract and engage a variety of youth groups, youth programs, and related community resources and events.

·                   bring a community of youth groups to one table so that we can begin to discuss, determine and deliver better ways to reach and teach today’s youth.

·                   form partnerships and develop collaborative strategies that will help us consistently, constructively and creatively uplift more youth more often.

·                   share ideas on how we can strengthen youth engagement, community outreach and coalition-building initiatives.

·                   develop ongoing communication tools to keep our children and TEENS better connected to youth programs and resources, and keep our community better informed of youth programs, youth events and related resources.

·                   garner more support from our community-at-large, and pursue other funding and financial resources.

·                   form community partnerships with groups who will bring value to and benefit from participating in The National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo Presents FAME (Fashion, Art, Music & Education) and its associated initiatives and events.

·                   ensure our community is always one of our children’s greatest resources.

The Black Youth Stakeholders Summit is scheduled for New York City in August, 2010.

You can help support the NBTEE’s efforts by purchasing a “UniTee”.  UniTees are RBG-designer tee shirts that uplift our children with pride, power and purpose, and inspire all our souls to be a part of the progress (check www.uniteedesign.com/video.html).

UniTee Design donates $5 from the sale of every “UniTee” to the NBTEE and its youth initiatives in New York City, Detroit, Baltimore and Atlanta.

Together, let’s prove we have all the resources required to improve the quality of living and learning for today’s young generation.