South Florida Youth Summit Returns for Sixth Year

David Banner and Jasmen Rogers to Keynote while Jawan Strader hosts cocktail & Conversations Kickoff

By Isheka N. Harrison

The 6th Annual South Florida Youth Summit (SFYS) presented by L.E.A.D Nation, in partnership with the Knight Foundation, will take place October 18-20 under the theme “Youth and Justice.” Grammy award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, speaker, actor and activist David Banner will serve as the keynote speaker for the adult only kick-off event, Cocktails & Conversations. He will be joined by Jasmen Rogers-Shaw, Political Strategist, and Emmy award-winning journalist, NBC 6 anchor and host of Black Voices. Jawan Strader will serve as the night’s host.

The Summit,the brainchild of State Representative and L.E.A.D. Nation co-founder Shevrin Jones,  is designed to provide knowledge-based enrichment activities in an interactive setting to empower youth to live up to their full potential.

“This year people can expect us to go a step further in engaging young people in a movement, but this is a different type of movement. What we see in the political realm, in our communities and what’s happening on a national scale, we want to make sure we give young people the tools and knowledge they need to not only be advocates, but also key players in creating change within their communities,” Jones said.

As mentioned, the weekend will begin with Cocktails & Conversations featuring Banner and Rogers-Shaw on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Miramar Multi-Service Complex, 6700 Miramar Pkwy in Miramar. During the evening, community leaders, educators, civic leaders and parents will unite for an interactive discussion on empowering youth to be change agents in the community.

The weekend will continue with the Leaders In Training (LIT) Youth Rally on Friday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Broward College’s South Cam-pus, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. In addition to the L.E.A.D Nation and the Knight Foundation, the rally is also presented in partnership with the City of Miramar. Its

goal is to groom high school students in the region to be effective advocates for issues they believe in.

The finale will be the actual Youth Summit from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Miami-Dade College North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27 Ave., Miami. Students will enjoy a full day of seminars, workshops, and panel discussions as well as have the opportunity to become active participants in creating positive and innovative social change in their communities.