Black Men Achieve, a non-profit organization located in Greater Rochester, New York, is dedicated to the education and mentorship of adolescents in the field of entrepreneurship. Along with offering mentorship and youth development services, the organization recently hosted its inaugural Marketplace Young Entrepreneur event at the Danforth Community Center.
The event served as a platform for numerous young individuals to showcase their entrepreneurial abilities, with tables set up to sell a diverse range of products, including baked goods and fashion accessories. Jermayne Myers, the founder and president of Black Men Achieve, expressed his pride and excitement in witnessing the dedication of these young entrepreneurs.
Over the past month, Myers and other mentors have been actively engaged in teaching these adolescents the intricacies of business ownership through interactive workshops. He emphasized the significance of programs such as this, noting that they not only provide valuable life skills, but also guide young individuals away from negative influences in their communities.
Reflecting on the profound impact of the program, Myers emotionally conveyed, “It’s a blessing, it’s emotional – you put in a lot of hard work with the kids. You see what they go through, from homelessness, many of them their fathers were murdered and a lot of their fathers are locked up – and for them to be here today overcoming all of those obstacles.”
One of the young entrepreneurs, twelve-year-old Jeremiah Bush, the mastermind behind Heavenly Baked Goods, shared his enthusiasm, “It feels good because it’s kind of like since I’m only 12, I haven’t experienced any real customer service, so it’s also kind of like a good practice to get in.”
The initiative taken by Black Men Achieve to impart entrepreneurial skills to young individuals not only equips them for the future, but also instills in them a sense of determination and independence. By laying the groundwork for their entrepreneurial journey at such a young age, the program paves the way for these adolescents to become successful business owners in the future.
Mentoring and empowering the youth in entrepreneurship are crucial steps in shaping a generation of savvy and ambitious individuals. It is heartening to witness organizations like Black Men Achieve stepping up to provide the necessary guidance and support to help these young entrepreneurs thrive.