FAME: The 1st Black Youth Empowerment Expo (Update)

[R. Lee Gordon]

Good eve and blessings, sisters and brothers, and those to whom it should concern . . .

As part of "my calling" to uplift the quality of life and learning for our young generation in a country and media-based society seemingly more intent on turning our children into prisoners and prostitutes rather than productive, positive people, I am currently organizing The 1st National Black Youth Empowerment Expo in New York City, spring 2009. And to ensure we consistently engage as many youth as possible, the expo is being planned as a quarterly event currently scheduled to be held in Detroit this August, Atlanta in fall / winter 2009, and then in LA or Houston, TX, spring 2010.

The purpose of the expo is to enrich our children’s hearts, minds, bodies and souls; narrow achievement gaps and technology divides; and engage our young generation via the power and beauty of “the arts”, and the creativity of “edu-tainment”. I believe this event will prove to the world how smart and beautiful our children truly are.

If we are supportive, strategic and creative in ensuring this first event is created to collectively benefit all those it engages, we will transform the way in which our communities support our children, and simultaneously arrive at better ways to reach and teach our younger generation.

Currently, I am assembling a national committee (which includes Jackie Taylor-Adams, among others) to initially aid in establishing sponsors and funding sources, and then to assist in creating the powerful education programming and highly creative curriculum for the expo. We’ll also need the participation of fashion designers, models, artists and artisans, musical acts, performers, youth educators / “edu-tainers”, community and youth resource providers, vendors, etc., as well as promotional support via media and Internet resources.

Your input and potential participation is valued as appreciated.

For all our children truly need is all of us . . .

R. Lee Gordon
www.uniteedesign.com
www.betterdetroityouth.org
www.greaternewyorkyouth.org (just around the corner . . .)


WHAT: FAME: The 1st National Black Youth Empowerment Expo

FAME: The 1st National Black Youth Empowerment Expo is the first event of its kind solely dedicated to uplifting African-American children and teens, and encouraging higher levels of youth and community activism.

Event goals are to: transform the way our communities support our children; engage children using powerful forms of the arts and “edu-tainment”; assess and deliver better ways to reach and teach children; and help our children build stronger minds, bodies and souls. Participating youth will also be able to benefit from on-site mentoring and tutoring opportunities. Other important topics will include peer empowerment and community involvement.

This two-day event will bring together a broad array of individuals and groups who want to enrich the quality of life and learning for our young generation. Through an appealing and comprehensive variety of youth “art-ivities”, forums, seminars and workshops, we will help to flourish the promise and potential that lives within each of our children. Every child will be empowered to establish goals, be engaged in productive and positive activities, and be inspired by his and her proud history, beautiful heritage and accomplished culture.

The ultimate hope of the 1st National Black Youth Empowerment Expo is that every participating youth take home the inspiration and confidence to believe, achieve and succeed, and be committed to bettering our people and planet.

This event will incorporate the FAME (fashion, art, music & education) model developed by The Better Detroit Youth Movement and UniTee Design, Inc. FAME helps to rally our communities; demonstrate to our children the power and beauty of the many genres of fashion, art and music; and create an “edu-tainment” event that uplifts participants and audience alike. FAME is an effective way to engage children and teens in positive, productive and constructive “art-ivities” that create critical-thinkers, and more disciplined and well-rounded academic achievers.

The educational component of FAME actively supports the development of professional, social and business skills in our children via teen empowerment, rites of passage, health, fitness and nutrition topics, and entrepreneurial and professional development curriculums. In fact, because of the benefit FAME has delivered to children in Detroit, an after-school program is now being developed for several of its high schools.

The Expo has been established for our youth, but created to benefit many others:

• Provides vending, exhibiting and sales opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, artisans and others.

• Provides promotional opportunities for community and youth groups, youth educators, motivational speakers and / or others (to share information, solicit involvement, financial support, volunteerism, etc.).

• Provides promotional and / or sales opportunities for entertainers, fashion designers, models, hair designers and others.

• Helps to educate the general public on ways to support youth activism in each event market and beyond.

WHO: Those of us committed to working together to improve the quality of life and learning for our children and teens. A variety of individuals and groups will have an opportunity and forum to empower our youth at this event:

• Artists and Artisans
• Musicians
• Vocalists
• Comedians
• Entertainers
• Spoken Word Artists
• Performance Artists
• Dancers
• DJs
• Fashion Designers
• Models
• Hair Designers
• Photographers
• Videographers
• Jewelry Makers
• Video Game Developers
• Community Groups
• Youth Educators
• Youth Groups
• Health, Fitness and Nutrition Experts
• Local Businesses and Business Professionals
• Community Activists
• Community Leaders
• Politicians
• Media
• And More . . .

WHEN: May, 2009

WHERE: New York City (venue TBD)

WHY: To prove Black America has all the resources necessary to uplift the quality of learning and life for today’s young generation.

HOW: “If we can move a Black Man into The White House, just imagine where we can take our children!”

If you’d like to be a part of this event, or for more information, please contact R. Lee Gordon at 734.395.3079 or [e-mail].


UniTee Design is a Black Youth Education & Empowerment Enterprise. Our products and programs uplift our people, and inspire our children to believe, achieve and succeed.

The Better Detroit Youth Movement is a volunteer-driven non-profit group that is bringing together caring citizens and providing them many ways to improve the future for Detroit’s young generation.

[momowilly]

Continue making real moves in the community Mr. Gordon. I truly respect your efforts.

[BBS Value Tour]

The BBS Value Tour will make F.A.M.E. a stop on our April performance tour! BBSVT will also launch our youth initiative at the empowerment expo. We are excited, proud, and committed to supporting Family!