Ernest Dorsey (410) 396-6722
YO! Baltimore

Pat Waddell (410) 396-6722
YO! Baltimore

Jannette Witmyer (410) 396-9928
Communications Manager, MOED

Baltimore, MD – Baltimore City’s Youth Opportunity Program is sponsoring the YO! Baltimore Youth Leadership Conference on Thursday, August 8, 2002 on the Liberty Campus of the Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). Supporting the major theme of the Baltimore Believe campaign to save the children of Baltimore and rebuild the future of the city, this youth conference is designed to attract over 300 of Baltimore City’s YO! members and give them vital information and skills to continue their path to becoming productive citizens.

The YO! Baltimore Youth Leadership Conference will feature several motivational speakers and educational workshops. Lynise “Queenpen” Walters, a New York rapper and author of Situations, a book of short stories with a realistic urban slant, will encourage the conference participants to explore their creativity and work hard to take advantage of the life’s opportunities. The Pure Movement Dance Company’s Rodney “Zoe” Mason, a comedian and poet will also perform.

Included among the wide range of workshops will be:

• Business Fashion Show (dressing for the business culture)
• Viva La Difference (diversity appreciation)
• You’re On Trial (learning legal rights through the mock trial process)
• Parenting from Infancy to Toddler (child development)
• Sex in the City (responsible sexuality)

YO! Baltimore/College Bound and 92Q Radio will provide awards for the participants. The YO! Baltimore Youth Leadership Conference will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“We’re hoping that these young adults will leave inspired and uplifted through their participation. We believe we have something for everyone,” shared Ernest Dorsey, director of the Baltimore Youth Opportunity Area.

A service of the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board - Youth Council, the Mayor’s Office of
Employment Development and multiple workforce partners, YO! Baltimore offers academic remediation, cultural enrichment, career training, exercise and sports and other valuable services to help transform the lives of over 2000 young adults (14 to 21 years of age) living in Baltimore City’s Empowerment Zones (EZ). YO! Baltimore operates in five EZ locations and four Baltimore City high schools.

For more information about the Baltimore Youth Opportunity Movement call 410-361-9292 or visit the web site www.yobaltimore.org.