The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo Presents FAME: Fashion, Art, Music & Education

[R. Lee Gordon]

Good day and blessings to you, and the many it should concern.

On behalf of our teenage generation who needs us more today than ever before, please consider supporting and / or participating in this event, and sharing this information among your circles of influence:

As my “calling" is 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 TEEN Empowerment Expo Presents FAME: Fashion, Art, Music & Education in New York City. Originally scheduled for August 2009, we have recently decided to not align with corporate sponsors who represent products that are not in the best interests of and / or unhealthy for our communities and children. Thus, the NYC expo will be rescheduled to August 2010. Meanwhile, we will launch city-wide teen creative (fashion, art and music) talent searches and auditions, and several teen planning committee events to promote the expo and its community-driven initiatives.

The NBTEE is pleased to announce it has recently formed a partnership with the celebrity booking & event planning firm, Queens Entertainment Group, to bring our mission and vision to fruition. We are confident with Queenie Donaldson’s leadership and her team’s expertise, we will produce a powerful expo in New York City, and be well positioned to uplift children’s communities throughout the country.

To ensure we consistently reach as many of our youth as possible, the expo is being planned as a semi-annual event that is currently scheduled to be held in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, and in the Baltimore, Washington, D.C. area, among other urban markets.

Designed to enrich the hearts, minds, bodies and spirits of today’s male and female teenagers between 12 and 18 years of age, the expo will expand perspectives, critical thinking, access to local programs and resources, capabilities and confidence levels, and narrow achievement gaps, technology divides and drop-out rates.

The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo will feature FAME (fashion, art, music and education), a proven “edu-tainment” model that leverages our teenagers’ interests in fashion, art and music while integrating effective educational approaches to stimulate their academic achievement, as well as social and professional development.

Here are the primary goals of the NBTEE:

1. Strengthen our teenagers’ minds, hearts, bodies and spirits to help them rise above and overcome the all-too-many negative influences of society, media, environment and peer pressure.

2. Create a forum to highlight and share with the world the many talents and gifts of our teens in the hopes of inspiring other teens to aspire higher and all of us to help them reach for their best.

3. Instill within our teens a greater understanding of economics and politics (in conformance with New York State social studies and politics standards) so they know how to command change in their communities, and become influential citizens and enlisted activists in the process and progress.

4. Improve communication and collaboration among youth, educational and community resource providers so that our children are more consistently aware of and involved in beneficial programs and valuable services.

5. Better connect teens to community, youth and educational resources, and caring community members, so they achieve academically and succeed professionally.

6. Provide more recognition of and support for community, youth and educational resources, and find better ways to get them to our children on the streets and in the schools.

7. Attract and supply tutors and mentors for participating youth.

8. Promote discussions about and delivery of effective ways to reach and teach today’s young generation.

9. Build stronger “working” relationships with youth on the streets and students in schools.

10. Develop consistent initiatives to uplift our children’s communities such as The National Black Teen Radio Show, and introduce a variety of teen programs including media communication, economics, politics, entrepreneurialism, etc.

11. Leverage enhanced communication for and with today’s young generation to propel consistent progress as a community and people.

The NBTEE will also bring together, under one roof, many community and youth service providers so that we can begin to build a collaborative support system for our younger generation, locally and regionally, and work towards the formation of a national youth movement with strength in numbers and political clout.

To date, more than 325 of these individuals and groups have indicated an interest in promoting, supporting and / or participating in the NBTEE, including:

Access To Arising Artists (New York City)
AFLAC (New York City)
African Women of Color (Los Angeles)
Agnes Johnson (New York City)
Agnes B. Levine (Baltimore)
AJ – The A Spot (Atlanta)
Amanda Gayle (New York City)
America’s Promise (National)
A Million Black Women Rising (Philadelphia)
Andrea M. McCaskill (Detroit)
Apostle Tracey George (Florence, South Carolina)
A.R.A.H.A.S. Productions (New York City)
ARISE Detroit! (Detroit)
Armory Track (New York City)
Artist Village of Detroit (Detroit)
Asunte, Inc. (Atlanta)
Ballet International Africans (New York City)
Black and Male in America (New York City)
Black Educators of Excellence (New York City)
Black Shopping Channel (National)
Black Talk Media Project (North Carolina)
BlightBusters (Detroit)
BOAN Consults, LLC (Savannah, GA)
Bob Daniels (New York City
Brooklyn College (New York City)
Brotha’s Keepa (Memphis, TN)
Camp Diva (Richmond, VA)
Catalyst Enterprises (Delaware)
Catherine Catcho-Leary (New York City)
Center For Educational Outreach (Ann Arbor, MI)
Chauncey Hanshaw (Baltimore)
Cheryl Lacey Donovan (Houston)
CKG Ministries (New Jersey)
Clarence Murphy (Phoenix)
Coy Creations (Houston)
Dallas Lee Bell (New York City)
DaQueen Monroe (New York City
Dare To Dream (Raleigh, NC)
Deborah Mitchell (Ypsilanti, MI)
Denise Robinson (Hopewell Junction, NY)
Denise Williams International (Atlanta)
Desire My Dreams (North Carolina)
Devin Robinson (Atlanta)
Divalicious, Inc. (New York City)
Divine Essence (Phoenix)
DLC Youth Ministries (Baltimore)
Doll E Daze Project (Mansfield, MA)
Dr. Barbara Murrell (Atlanta)
Dr. Brian Williams (Washington, D.C.)
Dr. Darryl Tukufu (Tennessee)
Dr. Deborah Sims (Virginia)
Dr. James C. Perkins (Detroit)
Encourage Me I’m Young (Detroit)
EZ Wear Classic Clothing (San Ramon, CA)
Frances A. Jackson (North Carolina)
Fraternal Easels (Detroit)
Frederique Porter Photography (Washington, DC)
Freedom Industrialists (Bluefield, WV)
Fusicology (Detroit / Los Angeles)
Georgia-Pacific (Atlanta)
Grassroots Artists MovEment (New York City)
Gina M. Jackson (San Diego)
Good News TV Network (Detroit)
Gumbo For The Soul Publications (San Jose, CA)
Gwen Brooks (New York City)
Hamilton & Associates Consulting (Gardena, CA)
Harlem Renaissance High School (New York City)
HBCU Kidz (Virginia / Florida)
Historical Inspirations (Baltimore)
Hollywood Studios (North Hollywood, CA)
Hustler’s University (Atlanta)
Informed Decisions (New York City)
Janice Hawkins-Higgins (San Diego, CA)
Ja’Ski (Washington, D.C.)
Jemaine Bankhead (Sparta, SC)
Jerry Craft (Connecticut)
Jordan Coleman (New Jersey)
Jullien Gordon (New York City)
Kids Power Play Sports (Boca Raton, FL)
Kimi Rhochelle (Inland Empire / Los Angeles, CA)
Lachele Muhammad (Detroit)
Lacy Dawson (Detroit)
Ladi Vee's Etiquette & Consulting (Washington, DC)
L.E.A.D. (Florida)
Lisa Morris (New York City)
Lovely & Delicious Enterprises, Inc. (Atlanta)
Macy’s (New York City)
Magic Johnson Enterprises (Los Angeles)
Majestic Entertainment News (New York City)
Marilyn Jones (Houston)
Medgar Evers College (New York City)
Memphis City Schools (TN)
Mia Cruz (New York City)
Minister Mary Edwards (Detroit)
Magic Johnson Enterprises (Los Angeles)
Monique Shaw (Atlanta)
Motor City Java House
Mozell Fleming (Orlando)
Muscles In Motion Systems (Detroit / Los Angeles)
Nappy Headed Artist (New York City)
National Alliance of Black Student Educators
National Mentoring Cares Movement (New York City)
NextBee Media (San Francisco)
Not Ur Momma’s News (Houston)
Pass Out Marketing (Columbia, SC)
Patsy Perkins (New York City)
Plane Ideas TV Show (Birmingham, MI)
PortraitEFX of Middlesex (New Jersey)
Powerful Beyond Measure (Silver Spring, MD)
Prisonworld LIVE (Atlanta)
Project Community, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
Project Fr3sh (Chicago)
Property of God Management (Detroit)
Queens Entertainment Group, Inc. (Los Angeles)
Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (New York City)
Safe Horizons (New York City)
Shay Date Guide, LLC (Atlanta)
Sheila’s Taaj Burroughs (Atlanta)
Sherryl “PraiZe” Hooks (Ypsilanti, MI)
Smells Good Team (North Carolina)
Stephen “Fuzzytek” Boyle (Detroit)
So You Want To Be A Star (New York City)
Sulaiman, The Word Smith (Detroit)
TAKE PRIDE Community Magazine (Washington, DC)
Teen Diaries (Sparta, NJ)
The 1st Law Network (New Jersey)
The B(usiness) Side of Youth – Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI)
The Black Child Rites of Passage Program (New York City)
The Black Economic Advocacy Party (New York City)
The Black Star Project (Chicago)
The Community Development Assistance Project (Virginia Beach, VA)
The Imani Youth Movement (New York City)
The Master Griot Project (Philadelphia)
The National African American Congress (National)
The Write Stylz PR Firm (Atlanta)
The Youth Talent Expo (Atlanta)
Thunder X (New York City)
The Single Parent Resource Center Youth Leadership Program (New York City)
Tim Greene Entertainment (Philadelphia / Los Angeles)
TMC Financial Consulting (New York)
Ultimate Events (Las Vegas)
Upward Bound (Detroit / Ypsilanti, MI)
Urban Chic (New York City)
Urban Leadership Institute (Baltimore)
W. Skeet Jiggetts (New Jersey)
Warren Green (Atlanta)
Wayne Harris (New York City
West Coast Black Television Network (San Francisco, CA)
www.bigtimebiz.com (New York City)
www.blackpeopleone.com
www.dynamicyouth.org (International)
www.h2ionline.com (Ann Arbor, MI)
www.HBCU247.com (New Jersey)
www.ourblacknetwork.com (Los Angeles)
www.resourceamericaonline.com (Atlanta)
www.showcasemagdir.com (New Jersey)
www.streetpositive.com (San Bernadino, CA)
www.teendiariesonline.com (Sparta, NJ)
www.the-savvy-sista.com
www.unityblack.com
Xposed Youth Communications (Columbus, OH)
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (Akron, OH)
Zulu Nation (New York City)

Many of the individuals and groups noted above are on the NBTEE local and / or national planning committees, or serve on relevant sub-committees. By applying a “collective enlightened perspective”, we will develop marketing and promotional strategies and products, establish sponsor and funding sources, and create the powerful education workshops and highly creative fashion, art and music performances for the expo(s), etc. If you’d like to be a committee member, please let me know.

The above list doesn’t completely represent the substantial outpouring of interest and support from individuals via emails, phone calls, social media networks, or else, and if I’m overlooking any one in any way, do let me know, with my genuine apologies.

The participation of fashion designers, models, artists and artisans, musical acts, performers, “edu-tainers”, vendors, etc., as well as promotional support via media and Internet resources, is also vital to the NBTEE’s success.

Applying a principle of “collective benefit”, if we are supportive, strategic and creative in ensuring this first event is created to truly benefit all those it engages, we will transform the way our communities better support their children, and simultaneously arrive at better ways to reach and teach today’s teenagers.

Now that the national and local planning committees are functioning, we are hosting several teen planning committee (focus groups). We’re also launching a citywide teen talent search and auditions that will help us discover some of the most creative and artistic teenagers in New York City who will be featured fashion, art and music performers at the expo.

I’m focusing on attracting corporate sponsors and private investors to help finance the many initial expenses necessary to execute excellent events. Know that returns on investment will be rewarding. I’m also seeking media partners and strategic partners who can deliver a specific expertise that will benefit The National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo, LLC, and forward our future successes. . Potential partners should be highly experienced in one of the following categories:

• Event Planning
• Education
• Marketing, Media and Promotions
• Corporate Sponsorships and Funding Sources

If you’d like to invest in or partner with The National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo, LLC, or to learn more about these opportunities, please call me at 734.395.3079.


Through commitment, collaboration, strategy and creativity, the NBTEE will better our children’s communities, and, ultimately, through this work, show the world the true worth of our youth.

R. Lee Gordon
(734.395.3079)
[e-mail]
www.uniteedesign.com
www.betterdetroityouth.org
www.nbtee.org
www.greaternewyorkyouth.org (coming Summer ’09)


WHAT: The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo Presents FAME: Fashion, Art, Music & Education

The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo is the first event of its kind solely dedicated to uplifting African-American teenagers, and achieving greater levels of youth and community activism.

Event goals are to: transform the way our communities support our children; engage teenagers using powerful forms of the arts and “edu-tainment”; assess and deliver better ways to reach and teach today’s teens; 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-to-peer empowerment, politics, economics and community involvement. (You may refer to the attached list of proposed workshops.)

This two-day weekend 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 teen “edu-tainment”, forums, seminars and workshops, we will help to flourish the promise and potential that lives within each of our children. Every teenager 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 TEEN 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 (BDYM) 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 appeals to 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. Based on its successes in effectively engaging and enriching children, FAME is now being developed by The BDYM as an after-school program for Detroit high schools.

While primarily designed to uplift teenagers, the expo will also 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, and solicit financial support and volunteerism, etc.).

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

• Provides a catalyst to stimulate greater support of local businesses in event markets.

• Provides the general public ways to support our youth in each event market and beyond.

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

Artists and Artisans
Musicians
Vocalists
Comedians
Spoken Word Artists
Performance Artists
Dancers
DJs
Fashion Designers
Models
Hair Designers
Photographers
Videographers
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: August, 2010

WHERE: New York City

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, together, we can take our children!”


If you’d like to be a part of The 1st National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo, or for more information, please contact R. Lee Gordon at 734.395.3079 or [e-mail].

Let it be known that the NBTEE embraces the support and welcomes the participation of all cultures and ethnic groups who can strengthen our mission and benefit from it.


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. We are currently working on a Black Economics initiative to hold our elected public officials (politicians) accountable for their demonstrated contributions to our communities, and a Black Child rites of passage program that will help today’s youth become influential citizens and tomorrow’s leaders.

The Better Detroit Youth Movement is a volunteer-driven, grassroots, non-profit group that is bringing together caring citizens and providing them many ways to work with students and schools to improve the future for Detroit’s young generation. Plans are underway to mobilize youth movements in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Oakland and Los Angeles.