JULY 2022
Summer Program Engaging Youth
YEMBA’s inaugural summer program includes a robust enrollment of 16 local students entering high school this fall. Retention has been good for the first couple weeks and feedback from students and parents has been positive.
The program started with a bit of a speed bump when we learned the evening after the first day that we had a positive COVID case. But our resilient staff, including intern Ashley Steward, responded immediately to the situation. Executive Director Edward Redd emailed all parents and followed up with personal phone calls. Classes were cancelled for the duration of the week, during which the building was deep cleaned. The curriculum, including the financial literacy session, was shifted to make sure that students didn’t miss out on any material. Students were required to test for COVID before the next week. Masks are continued to be required while students are in the building. No other students reported any positive cases.
Thanks to Ashley, Cornick Harris and Edward Redd for their prompt response to this situation!
Collaboration with Tennis & Fitness Centre
YEMBA appreciates the Tennis and Fitness Centre of Oak Park for sharing its facility with our summer program participants. The youth are meeting at the Centre on Wednesday afternoons for indoor recreation. The Centre staff have been introducing the students to the popular sport of pickle ball.
New Grant Partner
YEMBA has received a $25,000 general operations grant from the Colonel Stanley R. McNeil Foundation. This is the first year that the organization has received financial support from the Foundation, which is a perpetual grant-making trust with Bank of America, N.A. as trustee. The Foundation was established in 1993 to support and promote quality educational, human services and health programming for underserved populations, with a priority on youth.
New Coffee Bag Design
YEMBA has launched its new coffee bags, once again designed by the multi-talented artist Hasani Cannon. Titled "Revitalizing Dreams," Cannon's design is grounded in YEMBA's mission of empowering youth to continue to dream and revitalize, particularly after the pandemic. The design depicts joyous youth as a reflection of YEMBA's ethos. Cannon intentionally included inspirational West African Adinkra symbols, a series of images reflecting universal human values.
As one of YEMBA's first graduates, Cannon continues to partner with the organization to encourage and inspire the creativity of youth like him.
The special offer coffee bags, offered as whole beans and ground beans in partnership with Dark Matter Coffee, are available through YEMBA’s website and at Carnivore Oak Park. They will be available at other local retail outlets later this summer.
Out and About
YEMBA’s office building will soon have a multi-purpose room with state-of-the-art technology, including computers, smart boards and a projector system. The architectural drawings for the room were done by Ade Onayemi of Urban Resource and we’re now talking with potential contractors for the project. When completed this fall, the room will offer an inviting space for workshops and other activities.
Save the Date For YEMBA Gala!
After a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, YEMBA will present its annual gala on Wednesday, November 2 at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. Join us for what promises to be a joyful celebration.