One of a community’s most valuable assets is its young population, and Trenton is certainly no exception. To help youth get the support and resources they need, Stacy Heading has teamed up with Dr. Alex Ellis and Isles’ Youth Services program to present a series of workshops and life experiences that help to prepare our young men and women for success. Through these workshops, young people will be taught valuable skills to help to navigate school, community, and professional settings, preparing them with the tools needed to pave a brighter future. This is also a part of the Isles “Increase the Peace” initiative.
“I truly believe programs that allow us to bring the best out of our youth while tapping into their potential will increase the peace and decrease the violence in our schools and community. This series of workshops will include community leaders, educators, business owners, parents, or guardians. I truly believe community support is the recipe for success, so all are welcome”, stated Stacy Heading, Isles Youth Services and Outreach Manager.
Dr. Alex Ellis also brings his expertise to the table, having spent years in the business of transforming lives. Dr. Ellis is an award-winning author, speaker, and activist whose work has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, BET, and more. Dr. Ellis has also been honored with the BE Modern Man award from Black Enterprise.
The workshop series will be broken into multiple sessions, detailed below:
- October 26th @ 6 pm: Introduction to Image is Power series
- November 2nd @ 4 pm: Public Speaking Lab 101 Workshop
- November 9th @ 6 pm: Public Speaking Contest
- November 16th @ 4 pm: Dining Etiquette workshop, followed by a catered dinner
The workshops are structured to teach participants important life lessons, including the importance of image to your success, how to dress well on a budget, public speaking, manners, and more. The goal is to equip young people with the necessary tools to succeed and utilize strategies to decrease violence and promote character building.
Students who participate in all four of the Image is Power series will be invited to attend the Broadway play “Piano Lesson” with Samuel Jackson, followed by dinner after the shower. The final field trip will also include box seats at a Temple University basketball or football. Students will also receive a college tour before the game and will get to have a conversation with Vice President and Athletic Director Arthur Johnson.
The workshops are free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Parents are invited to bring their children and are welcome to stay for the presentations. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. Participants who attend on October 26th are eligible to receive either a complementary tie or a set of pearls. The sessions will be held at Thomas Edison State University at 111 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608.
If you’re interested in attending, please contact Stacy Heading at (267) 528-5781, Ivey Avery at (609) 372-8999 / iveyavery@yahoo.com, or Isles Youth Institute at (609) 341-4751.
