Friday, March 29, 2024

Rinkins Report: Miami Youth Group Promotes Economic Self-sufficiency

URGENT, Inc staffers and partners take a break from their work to pose for the camera.
URGENT, Inc staffers and partners take a break from their work to pose for the camera.

*Many news reports have detailed the plight of several historically black communities as they contend with the challenge of gentrification.

At best it can bring the fulfillment of longtime political promises and at worst these formerly neglected communities now become attractive to new residents and businesses that don’t reflect the historic complexion of the community.

Many times this increases living costs and slowly pushes out the generations of residents who can no longer afford the enhanced, more attractive community.

Miami’s historic Overtown community is experiencing an explosion of new developments including residential and commercial opportunities.

“We have a moral and political obligation to make sure we pay attention to communities that have been historically underserved and overlooked,” said Miami City Commissioner Keon Hardemon. “The people of this community elected me to do just that. I take that obligation very seriously.”

As chairman of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, Hardemon funds U.R.G.E.N.T., Inc., a  community non-profit committed to ensuring that young residents in historic Overtown have the skills to not only compete, but to thrive in an enhanced community.

URGENT, Inc VP Nelson serving her most valuable constituents: children.
URGENT, Inc VP Nelson serving her most valuable constituents: children.

“I want to be clear: URGENT, Inc. will never prepare our children to accept poverty. We remain committed to giving them the exposure, resources, and tools necessary to enjoy all of the opportunities available to them,” asserted Saliha Nelson, vice president of URGENT, Inc., a youth and community development organization.

The organization does operates several tutoring, personal development and life enrichment programs for area youth. Among those programs is the Commissioner Keon Hardemon/SEOPW CRA Summer Youth Training & Employment Program.

“We are happy to be strategic partners with CRA and its redevelopment plan,” Nelson told the Rinkins Report.

URGENT, Inc. is hosting its second Youth Economic Development Conference and Face Community Expo to engage young people around critical issues of youth unemployment; re-engage out of school youth in education;  develop youth economic opportunities and help young adults gain insight on what is needed to engage and contribute successfully in the twenty-first century economy.

“The conference is designed so that attendees come away with the understanding that their own personal and professional growth and development depends upon them understanding what is required and what skills are needed by employers,” Nelson continued. “Their voice matters in helping communities make decisions about what supports should be made available to help them succeed.”

Actor Tommy Ford
Actor Tommy Ford
R&B artist Teenear.
R&B artist Teenear.

The organization partnered with actor Tommy Ford and R&B artist Teenear to promote this cause at this year’s expo which  will take place July 30-31 at Miami-Dade College.

“Obtaining a job during one’s teen years is a critical rites of passage into young adulthood,” she added. “This period sets the stage for future earning potential over the lifespan, helps young people gain workplace etiquette skills and possibly gets them excited about pursing a career in the industry where they work, especially in the case of obtaining a paid summer internship .”

For more information, log on to https://www.urgentinc.org

Zach Rinkins, host and producer, Rinkins Report

Zach Rinkins is an  award-winning author, speaker, and journalist. He is the host/producer of the Rinkins Report. Connect with Zach on Twitter @ZachRinkins and Facebook @ZachRinkins

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