Message from the President/CEO

We Hold the Keys to the Education and Economic Opportunities for  

Underserved Youth?

 We, as African American parents and adults, must help to provide better education services to our youth. This must begin at an early age. We must prepare them to achieve a college education, which is necessary if they are to compete for high paying employment opportunities.

The future employment opportunities for many African American youth who are not adequately trained in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and entrepreneurship are practically non-existent. It is almost guaranteed that such youngsters will not be selected for meaningful employment and they will be unable to compete in the free enterprise system without STEM in their curriculum studies.

Current studies show that in 2011 the academic levels of too many African American youth are far behind most other ethnic groups. Additionally, HBCUs have a much harder job to do in the education of African American students, because they are lacking in many of the basic literacy and quantitative skills that are necessary for college freshman courses.  Yet, the HBCUs continue to enroll these diamonds in the rough; thus affording these youngsters an opportunity to earn a college degree.  These students are often lacking in effective study skills and the necessary work ethic to excel at the university level!

However, at all HBCU™s there is a management and training staff which includes PhD, highly trained administrators, and others. Many of these talented and dedicated individuals have worked at major (predominately) White institutions, and in many instances have chosen to cast their lots with those whose needs are greatest: the African American institutions of higher education.  In spite of such dedication however;  many graduates of HBCUs will continue to come up short if greater emphasis is not placed on STEM and entrepreneurship training during their K-12 schooling.

The Foundation is concerned that predominately African American elementary, middle schools,  and high schools are not offering the level of STEM and entrepreneurship training for their students that is being offered in predominately White schools.

 WE HAVE THE KEYS

I believe the KEY HOLDERS are you and highly educated African American educators, and business professional such as Dr. Jeanette Jones, PhD, Professor and Science educator at Alabama A&M University, and Dr. Art. E. Thomas, former President, Central State University, William Pollard, (retired, USAF Lt. Col), President, GMW Management, Inc. , Harvard MBA  John Hall, former president of two federal banks and former President/CEO of Mark Battle Associates in Washington, D.C. These highly talented and other professionals like them are key holders.

The afore mentioned  individuals  have all become active and dedicated members of The Foundation and are utilizing their skills and resources to help unlock the disparity pathway to greater opportunities for African American youth.

 Robust Action by Parents

Parents are challenged to get involved in their kids™ educational development beginning with pre-school development activities and help motivate them to want to achieve their best.  Parents must support the development activities of their children and youth through ALL  phases of education development.  Parents must let it be known that substandard education is not an option,—not for their children. But parental guidance is just one of the keys.

Caring and intelligent individuals can provide their skills and resources to help develop The Foundation into a world class after school youth entrepreneurship and STEM training Icon;—- just one of the keys.

The Foundation is planning to deliver its youth entrepreneurship and STEM training program in collaboration with middle schools, high schools and organizations like the Urban League Affiliates nationwide. The Foundation is seeking Individuals to help build relationships and promote our services to businesses, institutions, government agencies and organization;— just one of the keys.

Major Corporations, Government Agencies, and Institutions are asked to assess their current youth services support and determine if just maybe,–just perhaps The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Foundation after school and summer training would best support their community outreach mission — just one of the keys.

The bottom line is this:  We must challenge Major Corporations, Government Agencies, and Institutions that are providing sound bites, fragmented of what some have referred to as training, but what,  in reality is a disparity services in minority communities.  We must take a robust, proactive and flexible position to help these organizations deliver a more comprehensive all inclusive year round quality after- school training service which motivates youth to stay in school.  We must instill in our youth, a desire to pursue and obtain a higher education.  We can and we must empower them to compete in the STEM and entrepreneurship subjects.

I appeal to my friends, associates, professionals, educators, business owners, and
corporate executives to join us in helping our youth in urban communities deal with the
challenges of education and economic disparity

Freddie Jones, Founding President/CEO