Baltimore-area teens were encouraged to ignore roadblocks and naysayers and become leaders today through the motivational speeches of prominent blacks.
“In 2008, the crisis of the black community is that they?re waiting for artists and entertainers to step up,” said Jeffrey I. Johnson, a Black Entertainment Television international journalist and motivational speaker.
“We are now waiting for their leadership, when they?re telling us where to go.”
Jones spoke at the first Teen Leadership Summit held by Rep. Elijah Cummings? Youth Program in Israel on Monday at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel.
“They call you the ?X Generation,? and some act like you?re invisible or don?t exist,” Cummings told about 300 teens.
“But as a father, I can tell you how great you are.”
Cummings said his SAT scores were “lower than a footprint,” but he was galvanized to change when he attended Howard University, ultimately leading him to successful law and political careers.
“I knew I wanted to be somebody ? I knew I had to work harder,” he said.
Roused by the speeches, students in Cummings? program described their experiences abroad, touring countries and participating in classes with students.
“I built relationships with children from Germany, Ethiopia and Brazil, and we could barely speak their language,” said Keith Smith, 18, a senior at the Baltimore School for the Arts who wants to be an actor, businessman and ambassador.
“It inspired me to reach out to people and give back.”
Kristin Hooper, 18, a senior at Edmondson-Westside High School in Baltimore, said her experiences have led her to pursue a career in business.
“The most unique person can be a leader,” she said. “Jeffrey Johnson was an excellent speaker and was able to relate to us as teens.”
Jones said he wants students not only to be inspired and excited, but productive.
“If all you have is a vision without a strategy, it?s just a pipe dream with no vehicle to get you there,” he said.
The summit, which will become an annual event, was supported by a $25,000 grant from the Comcast Foundation, which provides charitable support to nonprofits.
Youth leaders
The Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel is a two-year leadership program formed in 1998 that recruits teens from Cummings? 7th District, which consists of portions of Howard and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City. Students go on a trip to Israel, develop leadership skills and learn to respect and promote diversity.
