Teens Keep it Real at Ann’s Choice

Nearly 300 youth attended the annual Keepin’ It Real Teen Talk leadership summit on Saturday. Featuring New York Times bestselling author, Omar Tyree, as its keynote speaker, the event that was held in Ann’s Choice’s Keystone Clubhouse.

Bensalem’s Love Fellowship Tabernacle Shekinah Choir rendered songs of praise at the start of the summit. Second Baptist Church of Doylestown’s Anointed Dancers for Christ also provided opening festivities.

After the choir and praise dancers’ uplifting performances, New York Times bestselling author, Omar Tyree took center stage.  He discussed three major components necessary for business success.  Teens in the audience cheered when he called out names like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nas, Russell Simmons and Donald Trump.  Tyree used the business and entertainment moguls as examples of different types of people, including introverts and extroverts, who found a way to achieve success in their field of passion.

Using humor, hip hop and sports as backdrops to peak the audience’s attention, Tyree explained the three major components of success as:  Doing what you love, being good at what you love doing and gaining the support of others.  He encouraged the summit’s attendees not only to have a purpose and a goal but to do the work necessary to achieve those goals and fulfill their purpose. 

Money to finance a dream and image were other topics the bestselling author tackled.  “Money has to come in to support your business,” he told the teens.  Imagery or personal appearance plays a big part in a person’s ability to generate income he said.  Just in case teens thought success, with its social and economic perks, could be handled lightly, Tyree repeated a familiar refrain when he said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Linking Area Youth to Leadership and Business Success

Other ingredients necessary for success were productivity, progress, consistency, dedication, movement or action, execution and excellence.  Youth who attended the summit appreciated Omar Tyree’s presentation. 

Ajhanee said, “I learned a lot.  The summit got me to thinking about life and what I want to do.”  Her friend, Bridgette agreed.  She thought that “the youth leadership summit is a good experience.  I can think about what I want to do in life better now so I can make the right decisions.”

Matt said, “There were a lot of good speakers at the summit.  The choirs were good.”  He planned on attending the workshops that followed the keynote speech.

A few teens that were on their way out of the main auditorium to the workshops turned back when they saw Matt answering questions.  One of those teens was Nylana .  After Matt finished speaking, she said, “It’s good to have a place where teens can come and talk about what’s going on in the world.  I would recommend area organizations create more events like this.” 

Nylana planned to attend all of the workshops, including “College 101 – College Prep and Keepin’ It Real in College,” “When I Feel Like I Can Be Me, That’s When I’ll Like Me,” “Prepared for Work, Ready for Life, Dress for Success,” “What to Do if Stopped by the Police,” “How to Get a Bully Off Your Back” and “HIV/AIDS: Changing Behaviors Can Reduce Your Risk of Infection.”

Links Programs Over the Years

The Bucks County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has been in existence since October 1966; Links' national office was founded in 1946.  Links provides school supplies, teen conferences, scholarships, mentoring programs, travel opportunities and summer programs to area youth.  It partners with non-profit, community based organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the YWCA, the Harlem School of the Arts, Global Elevation, St. Mary’s Medical Center, The Friendly Quilters and the Bucks County School District to provide the services and support.

Youth from all backgrounds are invited and encouraged to participate in Links.  Tonya Jones, co-chairperson of Bucks County Links, said the youth summit is held to teach youth about business and allow them to discuss pertinent issues impacting their lives.  “Purpose of the summit is to prepare youth to be future leaders," she said.

 “Anyone can attend the summit.  It’s free to attend.  All a teen needs to do is to register for the event,” Debbie Camp-Frye, President of the Bucks County Links added.

Attendees were provided free lunches and book bags.  In addition to the kids, approximately 70 adults, many of them parents of the teens, attended this year’s summit at Ann’s Choice, host to the event for the last three years.

How Ann’s Choice Got Involved

Ann’s Choice got started supporting the summit thanks to Susan Abtouche, director of philanthropy at Ann’s Choice and Angelina Adams, the retirement center’s activities manager.  “Several years ago I was attending a YWCA breakfast with a Links member,” Abtouche said.  “I heard that St. Mary’s couldn’t host the summit anymore due to how large it had become and also because St. Mary’s was undergoing renovation.” 

After the YWCA breakfast, Abtouche and Adams joined forces and helped launch the first Links’ teen summit at Ann’s Choice. 

Adams works with Ann’s Choice staff to provide audio visual, registration and additional logistical support for the annual event.  Abtouche said the retirement center works to help make the summit as success because, “Ann’s Choice supports the community and area non-profits.” Abtouche confirmed that Ann’s Choice planned to host the event again next year.

Interested parents and teens can learn more about The Bucks County Chapter of Links, Incorporated at www.buckscountylinks.org. The 2011 teen summit was sponsored in part by Ann’s Choice, Foundations Community Partners, the NAACP and St. Mary’s Hospital.