Got a teen in your life that is showing interest in the world of STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and/or Math?  Well listen up!  The McCrorey YMCA is offers 2 free programs for teens that you should know about...The Best Buy Teen Tech Center and The Career Pathways Program.

Take a listen as I chat with TayTiana Bryant and Dr. Robert Johnson, from the McCrorey YMCA, about these programs and get all the details on how to get involved.  

Got a teen in your life that is showing interest in the world of STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and/or Math?  Well listen up!  The McCrorey YMCA is offers 2 free programs for teens that you should know about...The Best Buy Teen Tech Center and The Career Pathways Program.
Take a listen as I chat with TayTiana Bryant and Dr. Robert Johnson, from the McCrorey YMCA, about these programs and get all the details on how to get involved.

The Charlotte Community Connections podcast spotlights those who are making a difference in the greater Charlotte area. From area non-profits to healthcare initiatives and local leaders to startup entrepreneur, we'll learn the diverse ways we can work together to strengthen our community.  


Interested in being featured on Charlotte Community Connections or have a suggestion?  Drop us a line at janine.davis@bbgi.com.


Make sure to subscribe to the Charlotte Community Connections podcast.  New episodes drop each week.

The Charlotte Community Connections podcast spotlights those who are making a difference in the greater Charlotte area. From area non-profits to healthcare initiatives and local leaders to startup entrepreneur, we'll learn the diverse ways we can work together to strengthen our community.  
 Interested in being featured on Charlotte Community Connections or have a suggestion?  Drop us a line at <a href="mailto:janine.davis@bbgi.com">janine.davis@bbgi.com</a>.
 Make sure to subscribe to the Charlotte Community Connections podcast.  New episodes drop each week.

Charlotte Community Connections

Program Teaches Teens About The World of STEAM & Provides Paid Internships

Statistics say that more than half of American girls are not happy with their bodies (at 13) By the time they are 17, 78% are unhappy with their bodies. Anywhere between 40 – 60% of elementary school girl are concerned about their weight or fearful they are becoming too fat.  Which leads us to a girl’s overall self-confidence.  

A survey by Education Week, found girls' self-confidence has dropped in the last 7 years. Their confidence level has dropped. That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Mental health is now a concern for most girls because more girls are feeling sad or depressed.  

Where am I going with all this doom-and-gloom talk about girls? To a place where girls can grow and thrive and feel self-assured and confident. This place is called Girls On The Run Greater Piedmont. It’s a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to build girls up; to inspire them through interactive lessons and physical activity. This organization has made running a part of life for these girls. By running, they gain confidence and the will & courage to create their own happiness. We are talking to these ‘girls’ today. 

GUESTS -

Emily Bird, Program Manager - Girls on the Run Greater Piedmont:

Camilla da Rosa (mother of participant)  

Olivia da Rosa - Girls On The Run participant

INFORMATION -

Girls On The Run Greater Piedmont 5K

Saturday, November 16 - 12:30-3:30 pm

Salisbury Community Park,

935 Hurley School Road

Salisbury, NC

Statistics say that more than half of American girls are not happy with their bodies (at 13) By the time they are 17, 78% are unhappy with their bodies. Anywhere between 40 – 60% of elementary school girl are concerned about their weight or fearful they are becoming too fat.  Which leads us to a girl’s overall self-confidence.  
A survey by Education Week, found girls' self-confidence has dropped in the last 7 years. Their confidence level has dropped. That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Mental health is now a concern for most girls because more girls are feeling sad or depressed.  
Where am I going with all this doom-and-gloom talk about girls? To a place where girls can grow and thrive and feel self-assured and confident. This place is called Girls On The Run Greater Piedmont. It’s a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to build girls up; to inspire them through interactive lessons and physical activity. This organization has made running a part of life for these girls. By running, they gain confidence and the will &amp; courage to create their own happiness. We are talking to these ‘girls’ today. 
GUESTS -
Emily Bird, Program Manager - <a href="https://www.gotrgreaterpiedmont.org/">Girls on the Run Greater Piedmont</a><a href="https://www.gotrgreaterpiedmont.org/">:</a> 
Camilla da Rosa (mother of participant)  
Olivia da Rosa - Girls On The Run participant
INFORMATION -
<a href="https://www.gotrgreaterpiedmont.org/5k">Girls On The Run Greater Piedmont 5K</a>
Saturday, November 16 - 12:30-3:30 pm
Salisbury Community Park,
935 Hurley School Road
Salisbury, NC

Girls On The Run Readies Girls For The Real World

She made national news in 1994 when he was sentenced to 24 and a half years in federal prison for a first-time drug offense. Kemba Smith was a relatively shy young lady from Richmond, Va. She attended a well-known Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Hampton University, where she met a 'bad boy.' He was the 'slick' ladies man who charmed his way into Kemba's heart. He was also a drug dealer who feds say was a part of a $4 million drug ring.

Kemba is in love with the man who eventually abuses her physically, mentally and emotionally. Out of fear, she begins helping him in his drug business. Both end up on the run from the law. In the end, Kemba gets caught, her boyfriend gets killed. 

Today, Kemba is free after serving a substantially reduced sentence with the help of the Legal Defense Fund. She is a much-sought after speaker who speaks around the country about her journey and her will to help other minority women who are in imprisoned unjustly. 

JD also talks with a Senior Policy Associate from the Legal Defense Fund, the nonprofit organization that assisted in reducing Kemba's sentence.

GUESTS

Kemba Smith-Pradia - International public speaker, author, criminal justice advocate

Kristina Roth, Senior Policy Associate - Legal Defense Fund

She made national news in 1994 when he was sentenced to 24 and a half years in federal prison for a first-time drug offense. Kemba Smith was a relatively shy young lady from Richmond, Va. She attended a well-known Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Hampton University, where she met a 'bad boy.' He was the 'slick' ladies man who charmed his way into Kemba's heart. He was also a drug dealer who feds say was a part of a $4 million drug ring.
Kemba is in love with the man who eventually abuses her physically, mentally and emotionally. Out of fear, she begins helping him in his drug business. Both end up on the run from the law. In the end, Kemba gets caught, her boyfriend gets killed. 
Today, Kemba is free after serving a substantially reduced sentence with the help of the Legal Defense Fund. She is a much-sought after speaker who speaks around the country about her journey and her will to help other minority women who are in imprisoned unjustly. 
JD also talks with a Senior Policy Associate from the Legal Defense Fund, the nonprofit organization that assisted in reducing Kemba's sentence.
GUESTS
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kemba_smith/?hl=en">Kemba Smith-Pradia</a> - International public speaker, author, criminal justice advocate
<a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/staff/kristina-roth/">Kristina Roth</a>, Senior Policy Associate - <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/kemba-smith-black-women-and-mass-incarceration/">Legal Defense Fund</a>

The Kemba Smith Story - From College Student To Drug Dealer Girlfriend To Criminal Justice Advocate

Many times, parents and students need additional support as the try to navigate the transition from high school to college.  Did you know, there is a program right here in our Charlotte area schools that can help.  Guest host, Ms. Jessica "The Girl Next Door" chats with Alexis Bibbs, Senior TRiO/Talent Search Coordinator at West Mecklenburg High School about this wonderful program that prepares first-generation college students for the next chapter of their life.  

Talent Search is a Federal TRiO program administered by Communities In Schools through funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The program is delivered through a case-management model by CIS Talent Search Counselors at selected CMS high schools, serving approximately 1,000 students annually.

The goal of Talent Search is to support students who have the potential to succeed in higher education but who may be first in their family to attend college (“first generation”), and to help these students progress through the academic pipeline to postsecondary degree attainment. Participants prepare for post-secondary education through workshops and events that focus on career exploration, college preparation, and social and cultural development. Activities include college advisement, assistance with college, financial aid, and scholarship applications, tutoring, campus tours, financial literacy programs, SAT/ACT preparation, career exploration, social capital networking and exposure, and cultural enrichment. Talent Search Counselors also assist students with the transition from high school to college, through their first semester in college.

Click HERE to learn more about TRiO/Talent search.

Many times, parents and students need additional support as the try to navigate the transition from high school to college.  Did you know, there is a program right here in our Charlotte area schools that can help.  Guest host, Ms. Jessica "The Girl Next Door" chats with Alexis Bibbs, Senior TRiO/Talent Search Coordinator at West Mecklenburg High School about this wonderful program that prepares first-generation college students for the next chapter of their life.  
Talent Search is a Federal TRiO program administered by Communities In Schools through funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The program is delivered through a case-management model by CIS Talent Search Counselors at selected CMS high schools, serving approximately 1,000 students annually.
The goal of Talent Search is to support students who have the potential to succeed in higher education but who may be first in their family to attend college (“first generation”), and to help these students progress through the academic pipeline to postsecondary degree attainment. Participants prepare for post-secondary education through workshops and events that focus on career exploration, college preparation, and social and cultural development. Activities include college advisement, assistance with college, financial aid, and scholarship applications, tutoring, campus tours, financial literacy programs, SAT/ACT preparation, career exploration, social capital networking and exposure, and cultural enrichment. Talent Search Counselors also assist students with the transition from high school to college, through their first semester in college.
<a href="https://www.cischarlotte.org/programs/specialized-interventions/trio-talent-search/">Click HERE to learn more about TRiO/Talent search.</a>

Program Teaches Teens About The World of STEAM & Provides Paid Internships

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