The Youth Council of the Centralina Workforce Development Board has many good stories to tell. Listed below are a few recent ones. Click here for the archived stories.

Sherman Rankin is a true success story. Sherman has overcome many obstacles and has turned his life around. In turn, he has won the 2008 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development for Outstanding Younger Youth. Sherman will be awarded this honor at a banquet on Thursday October 23, 2008 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel in Greensboro. The banquet is the highlight of the annual North Carolina Workforce Development Partnership Conference. CONGRATULATIONS SHERMAN!

Jessica Connor, 19

WIA Participant - SRCAA. Inc.

Aspires to become a nurse. Currently enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

Jeremy Greene, 17

WIA Participant - SRCAA, Inc.

Artist. Currently enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

Tamika Taylor

WIA - Participant - SRCAA, Inc.

Currently serving in the Military. Completd Basic Trainng in September 2007

Plans to enroll at Fayetteville State University - Social Work Program

Todd Greene

WIA - Participant - SRCAA, Inc.

Aspires tobecome a mechaninc. Currently enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

“Generation Destined for Greatness”

2008 NC Youth Summit

The NC Youth Summit was held April 18-19, 2008 at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro, NC. The conference theme was “Generation D: Destined for Greatness”. The Summit kicked off with a welcome from Greensboro Mayor - Yvonne Johnson. The youth were then given a presentation from Regina Smalls from JobLinks of North Carolina, and Takeila Barnes of the North Carolina College Foundation. Attendees also heard from guest speaker Mr. Thomas Barksdale II who gave a well received, encouraging and inspiring keynote address. Other speakers featured were Callie Northern, owner of GTC Services; Ronette Jacobs, founder of “Tools for Life”; Sandra McClammy & Brandon Hickman of Urban Promotions©, and T. Sharee Fowler, Associate Organizer of C.H.A.N.G.E. – Communities Helping All Neighbors Gain Empowerment.

Centralina was well represented at the Conference. Nine youth from the area attended. They were: Jasmine Knotts, Ken Gaddy, Marcus Lisenby, and Brittany McGregor from Anson County; Justin Imes from Iredell County; and Kristina Stout, Kelli Sheehan, Larry Cruse, Kristy Chunn, and James Robinson from Rowan County.

Workshops featured during the Youth Summit were Career Exploration, Independent Lifestyles, Grooming & Etiquette and Interviewing Techniques, Customer Service and Tolerance & Diversity. Entertainment was provided by the North Carolina A &T State University Jazz Choir.

Both the youth and providers alike really enjoyed the Youth Summit. James Robinson and Jamel Tillery both agreed that the best part of the Youth Summit was “meeting new people, and the food!” Kristina Stout plans to take what she has learned from the workshops and apply it to her everyday life. A wealth of knowledge and expertise were shared. It was evident that Generation D is truly “Destined for Greatness!”

1st Annual Centralina Youth Services Summit

a Great Success!

On September 14, 2007 the Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council held its first annual State of the Region Youth Services Summit at the Speedway Club at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord.

Over 70 people attended the summit which targeted individuals who have careers and/or a special interest in the development of youth and youth programs. Centralina Workforce Development Board’s Executive Director, David Hollars was pleased with the turnout for the first annual summit. Attendees were not solely from the Centralina region. Some traveled from as far as Guilford County to participate in the days events.

Bob VanGorden Centralina Workforce Development Board Chair and Carol Johnson Centralina Youth Council Chair were among the crowd that was enthralled by the encouragement and inspiration delivered by keynote speaker Thomas L. Barksdale II. Thomas Barksdale II is a motivational speaker and the author of "It's All About You, A Young Adult's Guide to Positive Living." Barksdale works closely with many of the Youth agencies in the Centralina region.

Attendees were able to participate in workshops on Grant Writing, Financial Literacy, North Carolina’s highly publicized Career Readiness Certificate, and what options are available for youth after school. Presenters for the workshops represented Central Piedmont Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s R3 Center and The Federal Reserve Bank. Lakeshia Liphford, a recruiter for the Job Corps delivered the lunch address and gave some tips on recruiting and retaining youth in the region.

Youth Summit attendees were able to listen to a panel discussion led by Workforce Investment Act Contractors from each of the 7 counties in the Centralina region. The main focus of the panel was how to serve out of school youth.

The first annual State of the Region Youth Services Summit was a great success! The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council would like to thank all of those who participated and hopes that the information given will help agencies reach the youth in the region.

If you are interested in presenting at or attending the 2008 Youth Services Summit, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org.