Can’t believe that this is the final week of this year’s summer apprentice program! We will certainly miss the twenty-one local teens, ages 15-18 who worked for seven weeks with local businesses.
Our Young Entrepreneur Mentorship Program (YEMP) partnered this year with the Alice Mann Center’s Teens That Mean Business Program in a pilot, which on both sides, helped to expand program and other offerings: ability to hire additional teens and to offer weekly classes on entrepreneurship. Ms. Toni Coston of the Brooklyn Community Arts & Media High School taught the weekly classes and Marcus Littles was our close contact at the Alice Mann Center.
The summer apprentice closing reception was held last week, Thursday, September 22nd at Dee & Ricky’s restaurant located at 503 Myrtle Avenue between Ryerson and Grand. Being a retired high school principal himself, Dee & Ricky’s owner, Alvin Wray enthusiastically offered his restaurant for the closing reception packed with students and their family and friends.
The students presented their business plan ideas in groups of 4. Ideas included an image consulting business, a pet rescue business, a healthy food delivery program and a pet bakery.
This summer’s participating teens and businesses include:
- Alfred Porter III (Sandbox Pack & Ship)
- April Simmons (Polish Bar of Brooklyn)
- April Smith (Joseph Tyler Salon)
- Alexandra Johnson (Urban Vintage)
- Brandon Wilson (Clinton Hill Animal Clinic)
- Chinue Ellis (Green in BKLYN)
- Christopher Covington (Luz Restaurant)
- Christopher Jerome (Leisure Life)
- DeVante Carolina (Dee & Ricky’s)
- Essence Stevens (Soketah Salon)
- Herold St. Louis (Five Spot)
- Jenna Nash (CKO Kickboxing)
- Jordan Oliver (Green Pets Spa)
- Juanita Brown (Move With Grace Yoga, Dance and Pilates)
- Latryce Gause (Emmanuel Daycare)
- Monique White (Huey’s Chueys)
- Quentin Felton (Le Petit Bakery)
- Rhys-Gregory Henry (Mark’s Gourmet Burgers)
- Sean Gordon (Neighborhood Housing Services)
- Shicora McGriff (CakeJoy Bakery)
