11/21/2025
Still riding the energy from the (National Association for Workforce Professionals) Youth Summit in New Orleans! ⚡️✨
This week, I had the honor of presenting on a powerful panel titled “Beyond Management: Transformational Mentorship That Builds Youth Agency and Workforce Readiness” as a partner with the Bloomberg Arts Internship Program.
We dug deep into what it really takes to support this generation, not just as workers, but as whole human beings with identities, emotions, perspectives, and purpose. I loved sharing how wellness isn’t an add-on in youth workforce development… it’s the foundation.
When young people feel seen, grounded, and supported, everything shifts. Their confidence shifts. Their voice shifts. Their leadership shifts. And the way they show up in classrooms, internships, and future workplaces shifts, too.
During our conversation, we explored the transformational power of weaving mindfulness, emotional regulation, and identity development into youth workforce opportunities. And let me tell you... this room got it. The nods, the note-taking, the reflections, the energy… it reminded me why this work matters so deeply.
I truly believe that if EVERY youth program across the country centered wellness at its core — real, intentional, whole-person wellness — we’d see young people step into their futures with clarity, agency, and a sense of belonging that changes everything.
Grateful for the space, grateful for the conversation, and grateful for the chance to represent the work I love.
New Orleans, thank you for the inspiration (and the subtle hints of home).
NAWDP Youth Summit, thank you for the platform.
And to every young person we serve, thank you for reminding us what’s possible.
Shoutout to my Howard sis .amina that I ran into. You’re a breath of fresh air in this work! 🫶🏽🫶🏽