URBAN YOUTH 15th Annual “Build A Dream” Awards Banquet
Recognizes Students, Parents, Mentors & Sponsors
Of Breakthrough Experiential Learning Program
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The acclaimed Philadelphia-Based URBAN YOUTH non-profit experiential learning program is hosting its 15TH Annual URBAN YOUTH “Build A Dream” Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 23rd at the National Constitution Center.
For 15 years the URBAN YOUTH experiential learning and career development programs have focused on providing FREE technical skills development and Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) training for urban youth ages 8 to 18.
The success of URBAN YOUTH is legendary, helping to motivate and propel thousands of students through high school and college graduation and on to meaningful careers. As the pioneering diversity program in the high stakes professional motor sports industry, the URBAN YOUTH Racing School (UYRS) is internationally acclaimed and supported by major corporations and private donors and foundations.
In the last several years, URBAN YOUTH has broadened the scope of the organization, responding to dual White House mandates of developing meaningful mentoring programs in the urban Black and Hispanic communities and promoting STEM education programs to pipeline students into the emerging career opportunities.
The organization continues to pursue initiatives like the model URBAN YOUTH WHAT IT TAKES (WIT) mentoring program and the recently announced Urban STEM Academy (USA) joint-venture CENTER of EXCELLENCE with the US Navy NAVSEA Systems Command, are being cited as 501(c)(3) models ideal for national expansion.
Awards Program, Honorees & Featured Speakers
The honors being presented this year include: Perfect Attendance Award, Perseverance Award, Little Racers Award, Teen RACERS Awards, Parent Awards, Naval Engine Design Awards, Chevy Points Championship Trophy, Trailblazer Award and Sponsor of the Year.
Featured speakers and honorees include Anthony Martin Sr. Founder and Executive Director of Urban Youth, Inc.; Jim Farmer, Chairman, UYRS and President James E. Farmer Consultant Inc.; Jim Campbell, U.S. Chevrolet Vice President Performance Vehicles and Motor Sports; Honoree & Keynote Speaker Vice Admiral Kevin McCoy, Commander Naval Sea Systems Command, Dinner Chairman Ken Barrett, Chief Diversity Officer, General Motors, Captain US NAVY (RET.); Honorable Mayor Michael Nutter; Leonard Weaver, Retired NFL Player Philadelphia Eagles; and racecar driver J. R. Hildebrand, INDY Racing League and URBAN YOUTH Board Member Dr. Harold Yaffee.
Long-time corporate supporter Chevrolet continues its commitment to URBAN YOUTH, with Jim Campbell, Chevrolet Vice President Performance Vehicles and Motor Sports, presenting a check for $125,000.
Ken Barrett, General Motors Chief Diversity Officer is also attending to emphasize the importance the URBAN YOUTH. “Fostering the growth of next-generation leaders in STEM-related fields is an important focus area for GM. We are committed to programs that are improving education and changing the lives of children,” said Barrett. “We’ve had an outstanding partnership with Urban Youth for the last 13 years and their amazing impact on children in the greater Philadelphia area continues to inspire us.”
