At Showing Hearts, we believe that “Together We Can Change The World.” At York College in Jamaica, Queens, we saw that change in action as nearly 100 high school students gathered for the Youthpreneur Summit 2024.
The energy in the room was electric as students from across the city stepped away from their textbooks and into the roles of CEOs, innovators, and community leaders.
More Than Just Business
The Youthpreneur Program is designed to be a 6-week launchpad for young thinkers. At the Summit, we went back to the basics that truly matter: Mindset and Self-Awareness. Through workshops on growth mindsets and goal setting, students learned that success isn’t just about a product—it’s about having the courage and confidence to start. As NY State Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman noted during the event, with the rising costs of higher education, these entrepreneurial skills provide a vital alternative path for students to find independence and financial literacy.
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From Ideas to Impact
The highlight of the day was seeing our youth take the stage. We heard from incredible young leaders like Ashrakat Mousa, a senior at John Bowne H.S., who has already scaled her crochet business to Etsy and YouTube, selling her work worldwide!
We also witnessed the “Shark Tank” style pitch competition, where students competed for a share of $10,000 in prizes. From Ammar Zaid’s “Jabbo Learning”—an AI-driven robot designed to teach multiple languages—to creative retail concepts, the brilliance on display was a testament to what happens when we invest in our youth.
A Community Effort
This event wouldn’t have been possible without our partners. We are incredibly grateful to Spectrum (Charter Communications) and NY1 for their proud sponsorship and for helping us amplify the voices of these young entrepreneurs.
As State Senator Leroy Comrie shared, this summit gives young people the opportunity to “figure out their own independence, their own spirit, and to work with others in the community to make things happen.”
Join the Movement
Are you ready to help us uplift the next generation of creators? Whether you want to mentor, volunteer, or donate to fund future scholarships and programs, there is a place for you at Showing Hearts.
Find out more about Youthpreneur here.
Here is our feature on NY1 – https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2024/09/22/young-people-attend-entrepreneur-summit-in-queens