On July 23, 2014, I had the opportunity to have breakfast with La June Montgomery Tabron, President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This opportunity came about because of the Youth Employment Summer Institute (YES!), which I’m participating in through Generation Justice. I have been a member of Generation Justice for over four years, and I am excited to continue contributing to the project through the YES! program. The Kellogg Foundation is funding the YES! program, and giving young people the opportunity to be employed in their communities.
As myself and a few other youth participating in the YES! program sat with Montgomery Tabron, I felt inspired and motivated as she spoke about why she thought the initiative was important. When she spoke of her first employment opportunity, it made me smile and reflect on the years I have spent with Generation Justice. Here, I have been able to see my community through a different lens, with a more positive outlook on how each person is a part of making change.
As Montgomery Tabron also listened to our stories and our hopes of what this opportunity for summer employment could do for us, I felt connected at the breakfast because I was able to personally share where I have come from and what I hope to accomplish in the future. As I told my story, Montgomery Tabron listened closely and I could see how deeply she cared about giving all youth an opportunity to succeed. Also, hearing the other young people was inspirational. That moment made a big impression on me.
I left the breakfast more energized than ever and all the more grateful for the chance to keep on making a difference through my work at Generation Justice.
I would like to say thank you to the W.K Kellogg Foundation and President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron for this tremendous employment opportunity. I am humbled and will definitely continue to strive for positive changes in my community. The skills I build and the memories I make during YES! will last a lifetime. The breakfast is one of the highlights of my life, a day I will never forget!
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