DECEMBER 2022
Wishing You a Blessed Holiday Season
On behalf of the staff & mentors here at YEMBA, we want to wish you & your family a happy and healthy holiday season. 2022 has been filled with many blessings for us and our ability to empower our youth. Highlights this year have included the launch of our Summer Empowerment Program for students entering high school as well as getting to know many new faces at Julian and Brooks Middle Schools through our after school Mentoring Empowerment Program. These youth are truly inspiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build relationships with each of them and support them with the tools they need to achieve their highest potential, this year and beyond.
Meet Intern Cushan Collins
Cushan Collins, a freshman at Dominican University, is serving as a YEMBA intern this year. He is mentoring our youth and helping with the Exploration Workshops that feature YEMBA staff sharing their areas of expertise and interest.
“These youth are part of the future generation. It’s important to nurture them and plant the seeds for their future success,” said Cushan.
At Dominican, Cushan is majoring in computer science, with the intention of perhaps exploring a career in cybersecurity. His internship is through the university’s Beloved Community, a program that promotes leadership development and faith formation through placements with nonprofits and churches serving Chicago’s Black communities. He also is involved in the university’s Black Student Union.
After he graduates, Cushan is interested in using technology to help build a more united world by providing resources for underserved communities.
YEMBA Participates in BIOP Event
YEMBA staff presented about our story, mission, and programs at the Black in Oak Park (BIOP) event at Julian Middle School. The event was designed by Julian Principal Jeremy Christian to make parents aware of local resources available to them and to give parents an opportunity to connect with each other. YEMBA had a good response during the evening and we experienced a boost in our student participation following the event.
“It is important that our Black and brown families feel equitable and supported in our community. This event was a step in the right direction,” said Edward Redd, executive director of YEMBA.
Laureus Foundation Hosts Grantees
The Laureus Foundation hosted a reception for its grantees, including YEMBA, on November 10 at Marz Community Brewing in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood. The event featured an inspirational talk by Michael Duane Johnson, a retired Olympic track and field sprinter and member of Laureus’ board. Johnson won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship gold medals during his career. He now works for the BBC as an announcer for major sports events.
The Laureus Foundation supports community programs using sports as a tool for ending violence, discrimination and disadvantage. The Foundation has been a reliable YEMBA supporter for several years.