In The News
Youth Leadership Development Institute Career Academy was a great success!
The Columbia Urban League, Inc. recently completed their 9th annual Youth Leadership Development Institute (YLDI) Summer Career Academy. Each year, since 1999, the Urban League has conducted the YLDI Career Academy in preparation for the YLDI summer work program. This year the academy was hosted at the state-of-the-art W.J. Keenan High School and over 260 students were in attendance for the four-day academy. With keynote speakers such as James T. McLawhorn Jr., Judge Casey Manning, Lopez Martinez and WLTX news reporter Sharie Harvin, the youth participating were armed with the necessary tools to have a successful experience while working the summer. The academy included insightful sessions that discussed topics ranging from proper etiquette for the working environment to setting career goals for after high school.
Day 1: Leadership Counts
On the first day of the Summer Career Academy, entitled "Leadership Counts," the participants were orientated to the YLDI program and learned about the history of the Columbia Urban League, Inc. Setting the tone for the day, Judge Casey Manning talked to the youth about the importance of integrity and good work ethics. "There's nothing in a bed but a dream and when you wake up, that's gone," stated Judge Manning. They also had the unique opportunity to hear testimonies from The Messengers, a group of formerly incarcerated youth from the Department of Juvenile Justice who travel across the state and speak to various groups of students and parents with a message of trouble prevention and making the right choices to stay out of trouble.
Day 2: Creating your Image-The New You
The second day of the academy, entitled "Creating your image," emphasized the importance of having a positive personal presence in the workplace. Jocelyn Brannon, the director of the Palmetto School of Protocol, was graceful, yet real when she addressed the youth about the importance of using proper etiquette to project a positive image. The students had a session on dining and social skills and were given the immediate opportunity to display their newly learned etiquette skills during lunch.
Day 3: Navigating the World of Work
Students learned about conflict evasion and resolution on the third day of the academy. The academy participants were also given helpful tips from David Highsmith, a staff member of Midlands Technical College about planning for college and making concrete career decisions. Additionally, Justin Thompson of Midlands Tech taught the students how to appropriately complete, submit, and follow up with potential employees when dealing with job applications.
Day 4: Your Body, Your Temple
Appropriately named, "Your Body, Your Temple," the fourth day consisted of fitness and nutrition counseling. Crey Trowell, owner of Trowell's Contracting, Inc., used a unique and creative approach to teach the students alternative methods of living a healthy lifestyle. Trowell's session focused on nutrition and explored different dietary practices such as vegetarianism. Erica Choutka, a fitness coordinator from the University of South Carolina, directed hands-on physical fitness activities for the students. Afterwards, the students had the opportunity to attend a career expo with exhibits from entities such as the Midlands Technical College WIA program and UPS respectively.
Rashania Green
rgreen@columbiaurbanleague.org
