NXT Fest would not be possible without the incredible student-centered partners that have worked tirelessly to make it impactful! For the last six months, about 20 entities have collaborated beautifully with 10 committees co-planning to execute the event. We invite you to enjoy their stories and connect directly to the ways they are moving this generation of young leaders to the #NXT best thing!
Name: Sergio Antonio Garcia
Organization: Big Thought
Contact Name: Sergio Antonio Garcia – Dallas City of Learning Program Specialist
Contact Email/Number: Sergio.garcia@bigthought.org/469-621-8917
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
I work with students in the OST ecosystem. As Dallas City of Learning, our main focus for student engagement is during the summer to combat the summer learning slide. We work alongside community partners to provide quality programming based on the needs of the community where learning happens in fun, creative, and practical environments. Dallas City of Learning also provides career exposure opportunities to teens based on their input and giving them agency within that process.
Why is working with students so important to you? Working with students, specifically students of color and marginalized youth, is so important to me because I recognize that they are the biggest force of change in our society. If I can provide these youth with high-quality opportunities and meaningful experiences, I strongly believe that is where true learning happens and essential life building skills begin to form for a future of success and a future of change.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
Understanding that we, as individuals and as organizations, cannot be everywhere at once to do the work that we are passionate about. So, we ask our partners to collaborate with each other to “create a village” and ensure that we are all working together and communicating with each other to uplift our communities. By becoming part of the Dallas City of Learning ecosystem, individuals and organizations can be part of both a macro and micro level city wide initiative that is looking to change the landscape of youth engagement and youth empowerment through meaningful opportunities and experiences.
Name: Shawana O. Carter
Organization: Carter’s House
Contact Name: Shawana O. Carter
Contact Email/Number: request@cartershouse.org/469-616-0224
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
Carter’s House provides everyday wear, school uniforms, and everything in between for children, youth, and teens in Dallas County at no cost to their families. Carter’s House gives the families that we serve a no-cost dignified shopping experience to families living in high poverty areas. We have a shopping boutique located inside the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in South Dallas. Families that use our services come in and shop for the items their children need. In lieu of payment, they volunteer or donate pre-loved clothing back to us so that we can help someone else.
Why is working with students so important to you?
Working with students is so very important to me because I think that our next few generations have some much promise and I want to help them to be able to focus on the greater things that will come if they just live through the tough parts of life and stay focused.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
Plugging in with Carter’s House looks like active board members – we are accepting nominations beginning January 1, 2019. We are looking for people who have a background in law, accounting, or event planning. People can also act as ambassadors in the community for our organization. They will help increase awareness of the growing problem of providing quality and adequate clothing to children in hard-working, low-income families.
Name: Christopher “Fish” Fisher
Organization: Dallas Redbirds
Contact Name: Christopher “Fish” Fisher
Contact Email/Number: fish@redbirdshoops.com/214-670-0959
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
The Dallas Redbirds is the new men’s professional basketball team coming to the Dallas market. Our inaugural season will be January 2020. When it comes to youth, we will host our inaugural internship program Summer 2019. The internship program will comprise of learning the business side of sports. Further, we have upcoming leagues, tournaments, camps, and All-Star games for youth basketball teams. Further, we will be utilizing students in the regular operations of the team such as dance team, broadcast team, in game entertainment, and more.
Why is working with students so important to you?
It’s important that we expose our youth to more than just being the athlete. It’s ok to have the desire to play sports at a high level but we want to expose our youth to all sides of sports both on and off the court.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
Follow us on social media @redbirdshoops On all platforms and go to our website www.redbirdshoops.com to get more detailed information regarding the team.
Name: Cimajie Best
Organization: Cafe Momentum
Contact Name: Cimajie Best
Contact Email/Number: Cimajie@Cafemomentum.org
Organization Website: N/A
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
Cafe Momentum is a non-profit restaurant which provides a 12-month paid post-release internship program for kids coming out of juvenile detention. The internship begins with a 13-week orientation at which time interns are connected with case managers to address basic urgent needs, establish a baseline of stability in their lives and set personal goals. The interns work their way through all areas of the restaurant, learning legal employment, social skills, and life skills. Case management works to round out the ecosystem of support including; financial literacy training, parenting classes, educational assistance and career exploration. Case managers help to work through issues such as anger management, trauma recovery, fatherlessness, and abandonment. After 12 months, successful interns are able to graduate from the program and are placed in a job with one of our community partners. These young men and women, who the juvenile justice system has referred to as “throw-aways” are now employed, tax-paying, wholly contributing members of society.
Why is working with students so important to you?
We are always looking to amplify youth voices and help equip them with the tools they need to be the change leaders we know they are.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
Volunteers & experiential learning opportunities
Name: Adrian D. McConnell
Organization: Youth Revive, Inc.
Contact Name: Adrian D. McConnell
Contact Email/Number: info@youthrevive.org/214-414-9449
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
I’m the Executive Director of Youth Revive Inc. I also serve as a Program Facilitator for our program, Ignite Me. As a facilitator, I empower students by instructing them on civics and character education that can bring change to their community.
Why is working with students so important to you?
Because youth have the power to bring transformation to their own communities.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
Readers can find out about service opportunities through our website or our e-newsletter.
Name: Candace Thompson
Organization: Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center
Contact Name: Candance Thompson
Contact Email/Number: Candace.Thompson@bswhealth.org/214-865-3060
Organization Website: https://www.bswhealth.com/locations/health-and-wellness-center
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
At this time, we do not directly work with students. We advocate for them via working with their parents, caregivers, and family members to promote healthy behaviors and a service provider for healthcare services and education.
Why is working with students so important to you?
Working with students is important because they are future decision makers and have a great influence on their families for how they engage and care for themselves.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
We are open Monday-Friday. People are welcome to give us a call at the number above or stop in and talk with one of our Membership Ambassadors about our clinic, wellness and education services. We work with people at all points on their health journey. I am also hiring people from our community to become Certified Community Health Workers!
Name: Porscha Kelley
Organization: Kelley’s Solutions
Contact Name: Porscha Kelley
Contact Email/Number: info@KelleysSolutions.com
How do you work with students currently? Please describe your work.
Kelley’s Solutions is a Dallas-based, minority/woman-owned start-up consulting brokerage specializing in project management, logistics/supply-chain management, and educational training services.
Why is working with students so important to you?
As a product of DISD, I feel that it is a duty to return to the very emergence of my growth, spread acquired knowledge, and actively create stepping stones for students—allowing them to move a bit easier through the journey of life. I believe this includes exposing students to concepts outside of their purview, while further expanding and applying their unique sense of understanding and imagination.
If readers could plug into your work, what would that look like/how could they do that/what would they do?
Kelley’s Solutions is looking to establish equitable partnerships in small business economic development (via resource sharing/trading, local business hubs, and local job creation) and community development (via real estate investing, youth/early-adulthood education, and social mobility). Interested and potential associates can reach us through our website www.KelleysSolutions.com and/or via email at info@KelleysSolutions.com.