YBM March 2017 Newsletter

NEWS

FIRST QUARTER MARCH 2017 We are living in interesting and amazing times. While the country tries to ďŹ nd a balance with the new administration, communities such as Charlotte wrestle with civil unrest and social justice as well as disparities in the education system.

YBM continues to make tremendous strides to impact the lives of our young people and their families.

As an organization, we are in the midst of a perfect storm.

We are experiencing major growth and success in our programming, processes, thinking, exposure and results.

This perfect YBM storm was created when several unique CEO John Martin variables came together to take our organization to the next level of achievement. The combination of adding a program for young black women (YBW Leadership Alliance), expanding our Top Scholars program to include 9th through 12th grade students, a generous contribution from Darwin and Mrya Smith and the expansion of our board of directors has literally created this perfect YBM storm to propel us to the next level as an organization.

I am sure you will see the results of our perfect storm and the progression of our organization in the pages of this newsletter. While we have been blessed and are extremely thankful, the best is yet to come. As we continue to develop leaders who have a positive impact on their families, schools and communities, we ask you to join us so that we may have an even greater impact on our community.

Thank you all for your support as we Create A New Reality!

Yours in service, John Martin CEO and Founder YBM Leadership Alliance

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WE ARE GROWING! Did you know that YBM Leadership Alliance celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2016? That was a very proud moment and we are excited that John Martin, CEO and Founder of YBM Leadership Alliance now leads the organization on a full-time basis. The YBM Ambassador Program has been the cornerstone of the organization, helping to set standards for developing young, emerging leaders. With the success of the YBM Ambassador program, in September, we launched the YBW Leadership Alliance to provide the same opportunities for young black women. We also launched the Top Scholars program for both male and female high school students. students

Meet the Team

Eddie Harris, Top Scholars Program Director Andrea Jasper, Executive Assistant Jaslyn Roberts, HR & Operations Director Christopher Land, YBM Ambassador Program Director Shelleah Jackson, YBW Ambassador Program Director Pamela Lue-Hing, Program Consultant & Volunteer Coordinator Tammy Martin, Executive Director and Founder of YBW Leadership Alliance

Welcome Our Newest Board Members Trey Ackerman

Jody Billiard Jody currently serves as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (“Coke Consolidated”), since 2006.

Trey has more than 18 years of experience working with large private and public companies in various industries. In his role as Client Service Partner, Trey is responsible for coordinating all of the firm’s services to the clients that he serves. In addition, Trey serves as Market Managing Partner at Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP working with the firm’s Practice Leaders in Charlotte.

Trey earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting and a master's degree in Taxation from the the University of South Carolina.

In addition, he has attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education and the Harvard Business School of Executive Education. Trey has completed the Corporate Athlete Course at the Human Performance Institute.

A native of Mulberry, KS, Jody received an Accounting degree from Pittsburgh State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, completed a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship at the University of Tasmania (Australia), and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1988. Throughout his educational and professional career, Jody has been a student of leadership, which includes leadership coursework at Southern Methodist University; the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC; the Executive Development Program at Colorado Outward Bound; and The Leadership Program at Duke University.

Residing in Charlotte for the past 17 years, Trey and his wife, Shannan, have three children, Clarie (12), Caroline (10), and Will (8).

He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married almost 23 years.

They have four children: Hannah (20), Sarah (17), David (15) and Benjamin (12).

We are extremely proud and excited to have a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers who bring their time, talent and treasures to the organization We can never say thank you enough times for your continued support.

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AMBASSADOR PROGRAM The YBM Ambassador program is the organization’s flagship platform. Ambassadors are the face of the organization, personifying our commitment to student leadership, academic excellence, and community service.

The selection process for the program is competitive.

We identify high school juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who demonstrate leadership and participate in community service. Our goals are to enhance each Ambassador’s leadership capacity, expose members to a range of colleges and universities, and ensure they are prepared to enter college. We have a 100 percent high school graduation rate and a 100 percent college attendance rate.

The program has produced more than 75 Ambassadors attending 25 colleges and universities across the nation. As these young men matriculate through college, most serve as student leaders as early as their freshman year. With our first Ambassador graduating from college this past fall, we are inspired by those who will graduate in 2017 poised to lead and serve as they enter their professional lives.

Foundational to the success of the program is a high-level training curriculum designed to build confidence in all aspects of life.

Training includes: • Toastmasters • Personality Plus • The E's of Networking • Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens This spring we will introduce Ambassador Cohort VI. This stellar group of young men will begin an intensive 14-month leadership development training program, participate in executive-level networking, and join a mission trip to either the Dominican Republic or Haiti with Samaritan’s Feet.

We expect our newest Ambassadors to receive multiple college and scholarship offers, giving them the opportunity to take the important next step to fulfilling their personal and professional goals.

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Our College Ambassadors attend:

AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT Hello, I am Jalen Feaster, a North Carolina State University graduate, and a member of the Young Black Male Leadership Alliance. I received my degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and am currently working for technology giant, Cognizant Technologies, as an Enterprise Risk and Security Analyst (Cybersecurity). I was awarded the Park Scholarship which is the top full ride scholarship to North Carolina State University during my collegiate years and a fellow at the Emma Bowen Foundation; however, it is YBM that has had the biggest impact on my personal and professional growth. The ideals and exposure I received when working with YBM has positively transformed my perspective on leadership and service, allowed me to surround myself around other like-minded and tenacious young black men, and ultimately encouraged me to continue to pursue my aspirations. From meeting and interacting with CEOs of Fortune 100 companies to receiving guidance from other successful black men, I am blessed to be a part of this amazing and reality-changing organization.

As the first college graduate of this organization, my advice to my fellow YBM brothers and young black men in general is to first surround yourself around individuals who make you step your game up. Your friends are a reflection of who you are and it is imperative that your company is promoting your growth. My second piece of advice is to find a mentor and a sponsor. A mentor is someone who can dedicate time in helping you grow as a person. A sponsor is also someone who cares for you and has an extensive network and influence. Both are important in helping you succeed and can be the same person. My last piece of advice is to stay focused on you. Amidst social media and the deluge of expectations and flaunting success, it is easy to wonder why you haven’t reached the same level of achievements as others. However, many of such successes are facades and focusing on yourself and your personal gains will yield better results. There is only one you and the best you can be by copying someone else is second. Remember: The race is not won by the strong nor the swift, but those that endure to the end. Stay encouraged. Stay challenged. Stay blessed.

-Jalen Feaster

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YBW HIGHLIGHTS Co-Founders College Bound: We are so excited to announce that our four Co-founders will attend the following colleges this fall.

Chidera Udeh: received a volleyball and academic

scholarship to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. to study athletic training with the career goal to become a Physician's Assistant.

Jalyn Martin: proudly accepted UNC Greensboro's offer with plans to study Speech Language Pathology.

Lauren Merritt: is off to Winston Salem State University to study nursing with the career goal to work in a neonatal unit.

Paula Wambui: is deciding between NC A&T University

and UNC Charlotte at this time. She plans to major in Computer Engineering to pursue a career in cyber security.

YBW Co-Founders: (left to right) Lauren Merritt, Paula Wambui, Chidera Udeh and Jalyn Martin

First Cohort of YBW Ambassadors selected!

YBW Top Scholar Recognition:

YBW would like to congratulate 10 young women for being selected to represent the organization as its ďŹ rst class of Ambassadors. Thank you to Shelleah Jackson who will serve as the YBW Ambassador Director.

Kayla Bittle, ninth grader at Phillip O.

Congratulations to:

Niliaja Brown-Roberts Ava Burgess Angel Carrington Jasming Jones Nia Lewis Logan Long Desiree Lucus Jillian Parham Janylah Smith Sarai Williams

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Berry High School, was a winner of the school's Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. She was recognized at the national observance ceremony on Monday, January 16. Congrats Kayla!

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The second YBM Community Engagement Luncheon was held February 20 and provided a backdrop for relevant conversations and clearer, deeper understanding across age, roles, and responsibilities. The series is designed to develop lasting relationships, increase cultural understanding, and build bonds of mutual respect among Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers, young black men and women, and the greater Charlotte community.

The event was well attended and included 20 CMPD officers, 20 young black men and women, and 30 community leaders. Conversations were robust and offered a range of perspectives and insights across a variety of issues.

The luncheon was made possible through the generous support of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated. "We are deeply grateful for Coca-Cola’s commitment to YBM and are excited to work with them to develop leaders and build bridges throughout the Charlotte community,” John Martin, YBM CEO and Founder stated. “We also look forward to developing deeper bonds with law enforcement officers in our community.

The YBM Community Engagement Luncheons, led by YBM Ambassadors, provide opportunities for members to experience community engagement and leadership development. The February luncheon was successfully led

by YBM Ambassador Jabari Moore, a senior at Independence High School.

STRATEGIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT DHG is a perfect case study in the type of holistic strategic partnership that is required to Create A New Reality and move the needle forward for young people in our community. With the help of Trey Ackerman, DHG’s Charlotte Market Managing Partner, and many other DHG resources we have been able to catapult YBM into the next stratosphere. YBM is forever grateful for the amazing work, time, and effort that DHG resources have invested into the organization, our young leaders, and the community. DHG has created a strategic partnership model for YBM that includes financial support and access to executives, mentors, coaches, internships, training classes, materials, webinars, and other intellectual capital. This strategic model creates a great win-win-win partnership between DHG, YBM, and our young people.

About DHG

DHG provides accounting, advisory, and tax services to public and private companies. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., DHG ranks among the top 20 public accounting firms in the nation. With more than 2,000 professionals in 13 states, DHG combines deep experience with a strong commitment to personal service.

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

YBM would like to extend a special thanks to Myra and Darwin Smith for their generous contributions and endless support of YBM Leadership Alliance.

The Smith's have provided their time, talents, and treasures to the organization. In 2016, they graciously hosted the YBM Ambassador two-night retreat in their Lake Norman home and plans are in place for them to host the 2017 YBM retreat as well. These generous financial contributions are key to the organization's ability to expand both our reach and programming.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS LEADERSHIP YBM AND YBW LEADERS HAVE PROVIDED

hours of literacy leadership & college prep Created support & mentoring presentations to over 2,000 "YBW's Guide to students at 6 high, middle, elementary to High School" elementary schools school students pamphlet

of Ambassadors engage in leadership activities on their college campus

YBM & YBW leaders have launched 6 for-profit & not-for profit businesses

Training for leaders in business etiquette, financial literacy, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders Program and certification through Toastmasters Youth Leadership

high school graduation

college attendance

military attendance

SERVICE

1st year college retention

colleges attended by ambassadors*

TOP SCHOLARS

AMBASSADORS

EDUCATION high school graduation

college attendance

average GPA

*see appendix for list of colleges

COMMUNITY PROJECTS INSPIRED, DEVELOPED AND LED BY YBM/YBW LEADERS

Community Engagement Mubaydaiye book Luncheon with CMPD drive project (collected officers, YBM students & over 1,200 books and community leaders 12 soccer balls)

Off the Bat Project (collected 30 bats, 20 helmets, 10 gloves and 10 cleats)

3rd grade reading program

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3,000 shoes provided to Haitian children

Established a Computer Center & Library in Haiti

Meals provided to the homeless in North Carolina

OPERATION SANDWICH What an incredible event we had as Operation Sandwich and the Sock It To Them service projects were a huge success! These projects worked in tandem and made a great impact on our community. This marks the fifth year of Operation Sandwich and was our largest production ever. We were extremely pleased with our turn-out of more than 200 volunteers, and the production of approximately 2,000 lunch bags for Operation Sandwich.

While it was our first year for Sock It To Them, we collected roughly 800 pairs of socks to distribute to our homeless neighbors. The opportunity to deliver lunches to centers and homeless individuals was an eye opening experience and offered an even greater perspective of our individual blessings.

Distribution sites included: The Harvest Center, Hope Haven, The Men's Shelter, Hoskins Park Ministries, and Hoskins Park neighborhood. Lunch bags and water deliveries were made to vacant center city lots, where several individuals gather and sleep. By extending our distribution this year, we were able to reach many who may have been unable to travel to city shelters.

YBM Ambassadors and YBW Co-founders gained critical experience in planning, leading, and applying critical and creative thinking while having fun and making a difference. Sock It To Them will become a legacy service program established by the YBW Co-founders and the YBM Ambassadors of Cohort V. Special recognition goes to Phillip O. Berry Academy for allowing use of their facility, Food Lion for sponsoring food and supplies, and Coca-Cola for providing liquid refreshments for our volunteers.

Volunteers from Jack & Jill - South Charlotte Chapter, 25 students from South Mecklenburg High School, along with our Top Scholar members, and YBM family and friends contributed to the success of this event.

MENTORING We are proud to announce our second annual partnership with Stoney Creek Elementary and the CMS Northstar Reading Initiative. The six-week mentoring program started February 1 and will end on March 15. We have 15 volunteers including YBW Co-founders, YBM Ambassadors, and our Top Scholars members. The mentors spend an hour a week to focus on reading and to inspire elementary students to strive for academic success. This mentorship opportunity is a key component of YBM and YBW programming to encourage younger students to become leaders in their classrooms and communities. We would like to give a BIG thank you to Mrs. Ivy Gill and the Stoney Creek afterschool staff for all their support and assistance.

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P.A.C.T. PARENT’S CORNER Bishop Desmond Tutu once said, “To stand out in a crowd, only means you are standing on the shoulders of others.” These words of wisdom embody P.A.C.T., the Parent and Community Team, formerly named the YBM Leadership Alliance Ambassador Parents. Indeed, we are excited to expand our reach and serve not just Ambassadors but Top Scholars of both YBM and YBW. P.A.C.T. is led by a steering committee of nine individuals: Carlos Jones, Gilda Carter, Kimberly McGregor, Maria Stephens-Jones, Myaneka Green, Nicole Bailey, Synthia Lewis-Lee, Tycie Smith, and Pamela Lue-Hing. The steering committee will engage all parents in the organization to assist and participate in parent education, volunteer recruitment and management, fundraising, national service projects, and college care package distribution.

Since the beginning of the year, the steering committee has been hard at work developing the foundation for P.A.C.T., creating its mission and vision and defining roles and responsibilities of its committee members. In addition, we have continued to assist the organization with its community service project for Dr. King’s Day of Service, provide feedback for the development of the parent workshop curriculum, distribute college care packages, and work on two upcoming fundraisers: Warrior Dash on June 3 and the PGA Championship which will be held the week of August 6 – August 13.

Please mark your calendars for both fun-filled and purpose-driven events. Registration is now open for the Warrior Dash Fundraiser: bit.ly/warriordash2017

Stay tuned…

CEO John Martin addressing the P.A.C.T. Steering Committee at their January 2017 Planning Meeting

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MISSION TRIPS 2017 Life changing experiences

Dominican Republic JULY 21st to 25th

Haiti JULY 28th to August 1st

At each of the international locations, the mission teams will help distribute hundreds of pairs of new shoes, wash the feet of children and orphans, and share compassion, hope and love. Focusing on the concept of “Leaving a Positive Trace”, the mission teams will work on a service project to establish an education center in each country.

The Education Centers will include a computer lab, library and other educational materials.

The teams will increase their cultural intelligence (CQ) as they learn about the local culture. Finally, everyone will have the opportunity to share the spirit of love as they learn the true spirit of servant leadership.

Cost: $2500 each mission

Includes: airfare, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation.

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UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH

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YBW Leadership Breakfast & YBM Leadership Symposium

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USC College Tour and Culture Summit

APRIL

11-13 22

YBM and YBW will be taking a day trip to visit USC Charlotte and take part in their cultural awareness programs for the day.

Wealth Summit: Beyond the Money

YBM and YBW will host the 2nd Annual Wealth Summit.

This year’s theme is “Beyond the Money.” We will be providing tools and resources to help the community identify & improve issues with their financial stability. + Details/Register: beyondthemoney.eventbrite.com

MAY

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Atlanta College Tour

Students, Parents, and Staff members will embark on a 4-5 college tour for three days and two nights. Students will have an opportunity to speak with admissions professionals and college students regarding college life and the selection process.

Students and community members will discuss leadership lessons to help refine leadership skills of our students.

College Prep Webinar: Selecting a School that Fits You

Hosted by Dominick White, Associate Director for Admissions at UNC Charlotte, students will learn what factors to consider in gauging compatibility with different educational institutions.

All Members Social

LET’S GET SOCIAL info@ybmleadership.com

@ybmleadership

www.ybmleadership.com

YBMLeadership

bit.ly/ybmleadership

ybmleadershipclt

To learn more about the YBM Mission and the engagement of our young leaders, please take a minute and visit the link to our video

YBM Leadership Alliance 11

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE COMMUNITY! YBM & YBW want to help CONNECT parents, schools, administrators & youth to businesses/organizations in their community.

Available ad placements:

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$1,000: full page $600: half page $300: quarter page

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YBM & YBW Leadership Alliance is designed to empower young people to be future leaders.

Our goal is to prepare them to be college, career, and life ready.

Reserve your ad space through this link:

ybmleadership.com Deadline for reservations: Fri, April 7th

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