|
|
|
Tavis Smiley Foundation's Official Web Site
|
|
|
 The mission of the Tavis Smiley Foundation is to enlighten, encourage and empower youth by providing leadership training that will promote the quality of life for themselves, their communities and our world.
Since its inception more than 6,000 youth ages 13 to 18 have participated in the foundations leadership training workshops and conferences. Many teens in the program have entered and completed college, organized health fairs and voter registration drives, conducted teen town hall meetings, started businesses and interned with city mayors and presidential candidates.
|
|
| THE TAVIS SMILEY FOUNDATION 10TH ANNIVERSARY |
|
| The Tavis Smiley Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009. This video features insights from our youth participants, supporters and friends. Learn what Hill Harper, Lalah Hathaway, Terri J. Vaughn have to say about working with the Tavis Smiley Foundation and what some of our alumni – Fred Shelton and Ginene Lewis – are doing now. |
| TAVIS TALKS TO TEENS |
|
|
Seated from left: Eduardo Campos, Kate Sim, Cortlan Wicliff. Standing from left: Galen Dodd, Kimberly Anyadike, Rocio Ortega and Tavis.
During a show on youth leadership, Tavis Smiley spoke with Kimberly Anyadike, Galen Dodd, Rocio Ortega, Eduardo Campos, Kate Sim and Cortlan Wickliff—six students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service. The conversations focus on their achievements and viewpoints as young people who have found a way to make a difference in their community, church or school. The show’s airdate is Dec. 22. Check your local listings. For more information about the students and the show click here: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200912/20091222.html |
| 2009 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS! |
 Watch archived webcasts and highlights! View webcasts.
The Institute took place on August 7-11, 2009 at the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles.
For more information click here.
|
| ALUMNI IN ACTION UPDATE |
 Y2L Alumni Receive $1,000 Grant
Congratulations to Philadelphia’s own Youth Action for receiving a $1,000 grant to address the issue of childhood obesity. Youth Action is a non-profit founded by Youth to Leaders alumni. The grant was given by UnitedHealthcare through its UnitedHealth Heroes program. Youth Action plans to partner with local heath agencies and develop workshops and other interactive activities to give teens information about healthy eating and living. For more information about Youth Action and its outreach programs, please call 1-888- YOUTH- 90 or visit www.youthactionteam.org.
 Texas Alumni Inducted into Thespian Society
Christian Black of McKinney, TX has been inducted into the International Thespian Society. Christian attends Liberty High School and plans to pursue theatre arts and law and develop a youth theatre troupe for special needs children. He is a graduate of the Leadership Institute
 Dafina Bobo Heads to China
Dafina Bobo has been awarded a $41,000 scholarship to study in Beijing, China with the School Year Abroad program. Dafina is an honor student at The Blake School in Minneapolis, MN. She is also the founder of Girls in Motion Minnesota, Inc., a non-profit youth organization created for sisters to mentor to their younger sisters. She attended the 2008 Leadership Institute.
|
| MEET A LEADER |
 William Ford-Conway
Institute alum and aspiring filmmaker wins contest
William Ford-Conway, a delegate to the 2008 Tavis Smiley Foundation’s Leadership Institute, was selected as the first prize winner in the Sound Off Film Festival sponsored by Montgomery County Community College’s Communicating Arts Production Group.
William, 17, of Wyncote, PA, was the only high school student to enter the competition.
The filmmakers were challenged to create a three-minute video in five days using only the silent film clips provided. The videos had to present a coherent story, supported by appropriate sound effects. Click here for the rest of the story.
If you are an alum or a teen who is an outstanding leader, you can be featured in this section too. Drop us a line and tell us how you're changing the world. Send to y2l@tavistalks.com. Put Meet a Leader in the subject line. |
|
| UPCOMING PROGRAM AND EVENTS |
White House Intern Program
The deadline for the 2010 White House summer internship is February 7, 2010. To apply visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships/apply. The application includes two essays, three letters of recommendation and a resume. Each applicant will be evaluated on three basic qualities: a commitment to public service, demonstration of leadership in the community and dedication to the mission of this Administration. The applicant s communication, writing and office skills will also be reviewed and considered. An applicant s grade point average is not figured into the final score and each application is reviewed on a semi-blind basis.
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship Program
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer leadership program in Washington, DC. The Institute provides America’s best and brightest African American male college students with unparalleled networking opportunities, leadership development, and life-long mentorship. Through the focused and intimate structure of our program, the Institute equips these young men with the tools required for successful careers. The program runs from Saturday, June 5 to Saturday, July 31, 2010. Students must commit to two summers. Housing is provided. You should be a college sophomore to apply. The application deadline is Friday, January 29, 2010. To apply, visit: www.i4rc.org. For questions email jsaunders@i4rc.org or call 202-659-2831. |
|
|
| SCHOLARSHIPS |
| Resource: Helpful links about available scholarships Click here for more information.
|
|
|
| NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL NEWS |
| Meet the 13 members of the National Youth Advisory Council who are ready to change the world! Click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| GIVE AND GET EMPOWERED! |
 Help usher in a new year of programs and events with a tax-deductible donation and receive a special gift.
If you donate a minimum of $20 now through Feb. 1, you can receive your very own copy of STAND, the inspirational movie produced by Tavis Smiley. Donors also will receive a copy of the educational toolkit created to accompany the movie.
Set in the summer of 2008 in Memphis, the birthplace of the blues, STAND reveals the journey of a unique group of scholars, musicians, comedians and social critics as they gather for a rare reflection of brotherhood while confronting their own roles and responsibilities as pioneers of social progress.
While visiting places like the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King died, and Stax records, credited with laying the roots of southern soul, Tavis Smiley and 10 of his friends explore the diversity and complexity of the Black male experience in America past, present and future.
The cast includes: Tavis Smiley, Dick Gregory, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West, Cliff West, Eddie Glaude, BeBe Winans, Wren T. Brown, Daron Boyce, Robert Smith and Raymond Ross.
This is the perfect gift for families, school, community and church groups. It is historical and educational.
To donate and get your gift now click here. |
|
| THE TAVIS SMILEY SHOW FEATURES YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE |
 Young participants of the Tavis Smiley Foundation's Youth Leadership Institute provide insight into the thoughts and feelings of America's future leaders. Listen to what they have to say. |
|
|
|
