Welcome, President Barack Obama, to Chattanooga,
Tennessee!
School will start back for Hamilton County
students Thursday, August 8, 2013; and what a
great way for children to see and be a part of
history with the coming of President Barack
Obama to Chattanooga, Tennessee! Perhaps
children may want to capture and chronicle this
special moment in time with an essay, picture,
poem, sign, or story with a theme like: "The day
President Obama came to Chattanooga, I ..."
President Obama is scheduled to be in
Chattanooga Tuesday, July 30 at the Amazon
Fulfillment Center. Tennessee Tax Free Holiday
for purchasing qualified school items is August
2-4. Click this
Sales Tax Holiday link for more
information. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Education, Employment & Entrepreneurship Services
"Empowering students with "a yes" answer for a
change"
D'Angelo Foster pitches an idea
for "GOTU" at the
entrepreneurship contest Sunday
at the UTC Fine Arts Center for
creators and innovators from the
Talented Tenth program at Howard
School. The contest put on the
the LAUNCH organization awarded
financial support and services
to his business idea.
Investors with
the Chattanooga Renaissance Fund agree --
D'Angelo Foster has a pretty sweet idea.
The 10th-grade
chocolatier won over the CRF judges at the first
Howard School Entrepreneurship Competition with
his pitch for a business that sells boutique
chocolates with exotic flair. His prize includes
$2,500 to get his business off the ground plus
$7,500 worth of meeting time with local lawyers,
accountants, marketers and designers.
But Foster wasn't
the only winner at Sunday's competition, held in
the UTC Fine Arts Center. The event culminated
months of work by the Howard High School
Talented Tenth program and career resource group
LAUNCH, which has been working with the school's
most driven students as part of an effort to
bring job growth to South Chattanooga.
"There's never a
bad time for chocolate -- for people or the
economy," Foster told attendees at the Sunday
contest.
In his pitch, he
explained that chocolate sales are little
affected by market swings and discussed possible
retailers and target consumers for his product.
Foster also
described how his company, GOTU, would separate
itself from other chocolatiers by imprinting
foreign phrases into chocolates and wrapping
them in packaging depicting images of other
countries. He brought samples made with candied
ginger, curry powder and oranges to imitate the
flavors of Asia, India and Jamaica.
These components
of GOTU, he explained, are designed to encourage
the eater to "go to" another land by appealing
to taste, smell, sight and hearing.
After awarding
Foster first place, the CRF judges had an
awkwardly scripted but endearing surprise. They
were so impressed by Foster's submission, they
said, that they would like to partner with him,
offering $2,500 in exchange for 25 percent of
GOTU's ownership.
Foster talked the
venture fund group down to 10 percent ownership
by promising to base production in Chattanooga
and to visit the Company Lab, a center for
entrepreneurs and job trainees.
Though Foster was
the winner, LAUNCH Executive Director Hal
Bowling might have been the person most pleased
with the contest.
LAUNCH, an
organization of local business leaders, gives
job training, provides professional mentoring
and promotes local entrepreneurealism in
low-income, high-unemployment areas of
Chattanooga.
"Entreprenuerialism is a way out of
joblessness," Bowling said.
The class at
Howard is LAUNCH's first foray into working with
students.
Class facilitator
Jonathan Mansfield described the challenges,
saying, "It's a fun but delicate project to
foster creativity while remaining feasible."
Howard's Talented
Tenth program teaches leadership and debate so
students can influence their peers, the
government and the economy, director Mason West
III said. West and Bowling incorporated the
entrepreneurialism class into the Talented Tenth
curriculum a few months ago.
In keeping with
the program, Sunday's contest also was a
scholastic evaluation. Foster and his
competitors, designers of a pager for remotes
and a backpack sporting electronics chargers, no
doubt passed.
Just as her friends were doing, my daughter
Melissa was busily preparing for adulthood. At
school, she was getting ready for college by taking
the right courses and had signed up for the ACT
college entrance test.
Outside of class, Melissa was learning the
socialization skills it takes to get along with
people by spending time with friends, classmates,
and teammates. At her job, she was learning the
relational skills needed for a future career of
work. At home, Mell was preparing for future family
life by experiencing the way a Christian family
would interact.
Getting ready for life as an adult takes work,
and Melissa was making good progress.
But none of that preparation was what she would
need. In 2002, when she died in a car accident at
age 17, the only preparation that mattered was her
readiness for heaven.
When the truest test of preparedness came so
suddenly on that beautiful June evening—when
eternity’s door opened for Melissa—she was prepared.
She had put her faith in Jesus and trusted His
sacrifice on the cross for her sins (John 3:16; Rom.
5:8-9).
When she faced the ultimate test of being
prepared, Melissa was ready. Are you?
God’s time is now, for the days fly fast,
And swiftly the seasons roll;
Today is yours, it may be your last;
Choose life for your priceless soul! —Fithian
If death comes today, will you be prepared to
meet God?
Are
youth equipped with the “real world” skills and
resources they need to be successful in the job market
and in life today?
Are
youth able to demonstrate their skills and abilities
with industry-standard business products that would
excel them toward better jobs?
Are
youth able to secure sustainable income at any point in
their career and life path while navigating from school
to work, college, or entrepreneurship?
Introducing the AYES Youth In Business Training
Certificate Program!
A “yes” would be given to each of the above questions, given a youth’s
completion of The
AYES Youth In Business Training Certificate Program.
AYES (Alternative Youth Economic Solutions)
Youth In Business focuses on the development of youth in
the “real” business world. Our purpose is to train
and develop youth 14 years and older with business and
information technology “skills”; network them with youth
friendly businesses in the community who will “hire and
inspire”them via education, occupation, and people
relations, mentoring, and career and life coaching; and
lead them to an on-the-job experience through
internships, co-ops, summer, part-time, full-time
employment.
The 7 key elements of the AYES Youth In Business Program are:
Business and
Information Technology Skills Training
Business Portfolio &
Presentation
Job Bank
Youth Friendly Business
Partners
Networking & Mentoring
Referrals
Certificate of
Achievement
AYES Youth In Business was designed and created by Tekelia C. Kelly,
who is the Founder and owner of Sisters In Business.Net
and For Your Information. This program made its
first debut at Chattanooga State where Mrs. Kelly is an
adjunct faculty member, and the instructor for the AYES
program. AYES Youth In Business is also portable
and available to any youth group, individual, offering
Workshops, Computer-based Training CD-ROM Software,
Online Learning, and 1-on-1 Coaching.
AYES Youth In Business is a 501C3 program. Donations are
graciously accepted, and tax deductible.
Below are Media Kit
links which include a PowerPoint Presentation for more
details about the AYES Youth In Business Training
Certificate Program.
What could you do if bandwidth was no
longer a barrier? Choose your track and
bring your world-changing gigabit idea
to the Gig Tank.
Each team selected for the Gig Tank will be
offered $15,000 in investment capital to
come to the Gig City this summer, develop
their gigabit business idea and test it on a
live residential and business test market.
The ten teams chosen for this competition
will be mentored by teams of entrepreneurs,
VCs and angel investors. Ultimately, the
smartest, most disruptive business plan will
capture a cash prize of $100,000.
DEADLINE: March 1
Students selected for the Gig Tank will
spend the summer in Chattanooga -- lodging
provided -- collaborating, hacking and
imagining the future of the Internet when
bandwidth is no longer a barrier. All you
need is a gigabit idea and the technical
skills to start building it. The best
student-born idea hatched in the Gig Tank
will take home a cash prize of $50,000 and a
chance to pitch their idea to VCs and Angel
investors
DEADLINE: March 1
Feature
Education Section: Youth
Mean Business
Youth
Mean Business About Jobs & Skills
Angie and Robin receive
their Certificate of
Training and Continuing
Education Unit (CEU)
credit from Chattanooga
State Technical
Community College for
successfully completing
the AYES Youth In
Business "Interpersonal Skills Development" class this summer.
"This is so needed!
I remember going
through this phase.
I took a
[personality] test.
They told me I was
creative and good
luck. I wish I
would have had some
skills to go along
with my interests.
If they would have
had AYES, they would
have been able to
point me in that
direction."
Elizabeth Miller,
WUTC Radio 88.1 FM,
UTC, Chattanooga, TN
Consistent with Ms.
Kelly's track record
as a teacher and
trainer in both
academic and
corporate business
settings,
respectively,
learners enrolled in
the AYES Youth
In Business Skills
Training Certificate
Program found
classes full of
helpful instruction
and exciting!
Students in each
class gave high
value ratings for
instructor delivery,
class content, class
effectiveness, and
overall
satisfaction.
Comments shared by
some students are
given below.
Students learn
and practice
proper
keyboarding
skills and basic
formatting In
AYES Youth in
Business
Computer
Keyboarding
class at
Chattanooga
State.
Youth mean business about
skills and jobs, and so does
the AYES Youth In Business
Skills Training Certificate
Program. Parents of
youth seeking enrichment
learning programs to enroll
in this summer found the
AYES Youth In Business
curriculum full of skills
and fun at Chattanooga
State!
Tekelia Kelly, founder and
designer of the program, is
an adjunct faculty member at
Chattanooga State where she
also teaches computer
classes for the college and
continuing education
programs. Ms. Kelly
has designed the AYES
curriculum to offer courses
like Interpersonal Skills
Development, Success Skills
Toolkit for Teens, Computer
Keyboarding, Microsoft
Office Software Training,
and more.
Tekelia
Kelly,
AYES
Youth In
Business
Founder
and
Instructor,
helps
students
during
classroom
activities
at
Chattanooga
State.
AYES Student Quotes
“This class helped me
understand a lot dealing
with job interviews and a
resume. I wouldn’t
change a thing, except to be
able to be in it more and
longer, because it was so
fun!” -Robin H.
"I had a lot of fun!
It was a great learning
experience. I would
love more classes like this.
It helped me a lot.
Thank you! Angie. B.
I told her that I was going
to pick a class and she
could pick a class. I
chose AYES, and she thought
it was going to be boring,
but she's been telling me
how "awesome" it is!
Kristi D.
Thanks for taking your
time to teach me how to type
better. I love this
class. It helped me a
lot! Have a great summer!
Love ya, -Shearyl.D
"AYES Youth In
Business E-Learning
Portal "
Kick-off of the AYES
E-Learning Portal
also enabled
students to extend
their learning
beyond the
classroom.
Instructor-led
material covered in
class was also made
available online to
learners for
practice at home.
With simple email
registration,
students were able
to continue learning
and sharpen their
skills even after
class was over.
AYES (Alternative Youth
Economic Solutions) exists
to empower the
socio-economic development,
employment, and education
needs of youth and young
adults, and help bridge the
transition from high school
to go college, workforce,
trade, or entrepreneurship.
Offering projects and
training that develop
hands-on skills geared
toward employers, AYES
prepares students for job
opportunities that offer
sustainable income in the
form of summer jobs,
part-time and full-time
work, internships, job
shadowing, volunteer, and
even entrepreneur
opportunities.
The AYES program is designed
to interface with employers,
entrepreneurs, and entities
hiring in the community, who
realize the benefit of
having skilled youth working
in their workforce, and
value hiring and inspiring
youth through their
business. "Through a
collaborative effort, we can
provide training,
networking, mentoring,
employment, and business
services via the AYES
program. This will
offer a comprehensive and
alternative approach for
youth workforce development;
one which offers
experiential learning,
hands-on skills, and
transferable knowledge.
This will benefit youth
throughout their career and
life…that’s A YES!", says
Tekelia Kelly."
Job Bank,
on-the-job
training and
shadowing,
mentoring,
employment
assistance
referrals,
virtual coaching
is all part of
the "pass the
baton"
philosophy of
the AYES
program.
"It seems efforts have been
made from time to time to
accommodate youth needing to
work, but not as
consistently as the need for
youth to be employed...and
be employable; particularly
between the ages of 15 and
19. That's about a 4-5
year span of youth needing
to have a consistent
socio-economic development
solution that integrates
with their life and career
paths. For youth
who may attend college,
college internship
opportunities
may be an option, but
they are not numerous, and
are not commonly available
to most people.
AYES is a 21st century
school-to-work or youth
employment training program.
Its an effort to empower
youth in the workforce; with
a strategy that involves
several key factors which
include instructional
design, technology,
creativity, flexibility, and
"youth friendly" business
partners who seek to
"pass-the-baton" to youth as
the next generation of
workers.
Our vision is to train,
equip, and deploy youth with
a good working knowledge of
what they need to do for the
employer, business owner, or
for their own venture.
Our ultimate goal is to
usher into place the
resources that will
ongoingly provide youth
training, staffing, and
employment services that
will interface between
youth, their schools, 2-year
and 4-year colleges,
employers, business owners,
professionals, and community
organizations", says Kelly.
As
encouraged by Ms. Kelly for
students to use her as an
employment reference as well
as utilize the AYES/SIB Job
Bank Network, student Robin
asks the SIB Founder/CEO for
her business card during
class. Robin is
pursuing a job at a
Walgreens located in her
community. Students
have also been told by Ms.
Kelly that the AYES program
is dedicated to helping them
even after class is over.
Since the class ended, Kelly
has been in contact with her
job-seeking students and
their parents to evaluate
progress, and coach students
further as needed. As
Robin receives the business
card, Ms. Kelly tells her
that she is excited about
having the opportunity to
introduce such a bright,
sixteen year old, high
school student, who has
taken the initiative to be
trained for employment on
Saturday mornings during her
summer vacation. Robin
has training, some skills,
transportation, and
excitement about going to
work. Already
addressed is her online
application required for the
job. The next step for
Kelly...a call to the
Walgreens store manager in
Angie's neighborhood, and/or
maybe a letter of
recommendation...all in an
effort to "hire and inspire
a youth in business".
AYES
would like to thank Youth
Friendly Business Partner,
Walgreens-Gunbarrel Road,
Manager Patricia Arnold, for
their support and
contributions to the AYES
program.
See Ms. Arnold's statement
below in Walgreens article.
AYES and Sisters In
Business.Net
Sisters In Business.Net
(SIB) is like an institute
of women and men business
owners, and has a
knowledgebase of subject
matter experts, contacts,
and resources that can be
leveraged to help students
not only learn and explore a
job, but pursue and obtain
viable employment.
Given the sister company
For Your Information,
Education and Information
Technology Solutions,
SIB is also able offer
education and training that
can be designed, developed,
and delivered both in
traditional as well as
technology-integrated
computer based training
(CBT) learning environments,
formatted for CD-ROM, Flash
Drive, online E-Learning,
classroom, computer labs,
and at various locations
like Chattanooga State,
in-house, or at client's
site.
Through AYES, SIB seeks to
accommodate students and
employers' training needs,
even to the where trained
youth and/or company
training programs can be
delivered "just in time" as
needed. Having a
pre-existing relationship,
lead time, and training
requirements of partnering
employers, the company plans
to be able to pull off the
the shelf standardized or
customized training for the
employer, deliver it to the
youth, and deploy a youth
primed for his/her job and
work environment.
"Hire & Inspire"
Students! Provide
ongoing part-time, co-op,
after-school, intern, or
job-shadowing type
positions, preferably that
pay or offer some financial
incentives. (Volunteer
opportunities with job
skills development can also
be helpful.)
Paying positions for jobs
like data entry clerks,
mailroom clerks, sorters,
telemarketing, computer
aided drafting, level-one
computer support, help desk,
insurance clerk, bookkeeping
assistant, veterinarian
assistance, multimedia
productions, graphic
designer, office assistant,
cosmetology assistant,
cashier, store clerk,
administrative assistants,
customer service, telephone
sales, sales clerk, hospital
diet aide, package handlers,
seamstress, exercise class
assistant, lawn maintenance,
babysitting, artists,
painters, singers, dancers,
writers, and beauty/barber
assistants...are some of the
jobs we can see youth
successfully doing at an
entry level in the
workforce. We think it
can work...for both youth
and employers. It may
require a shift in
thinking...but "shift
happens", as seen in the
Did You Know Shift Happens
video, a state of the art
documentary on the
socio-economic and
educational needs for
preparing youth for the
future.
"The great potential of
youth and performance gains
for society can both be
maximized as we factor in
alternative ways to
incorporate youth into the
socio-economic equation.
Along with work-age teens
having a valuable
high-school education in the
classroom, we must also
provide job opportunities
that offer them "hands-on"
skills development in the
laboratory of life.
There they will be better
able to see the application
and transfer of knowledge.
There they will be better
able to appreciate the value
of interpersonal
relationships in business
and the workplace.
This is essential and can
help make for life-long
learning and income
sustainability that will
benefit not only youth, but
society as well. The
effort to provide youth
employment and training
programs that interface with
workforce and career
development is truly a
needed "rung" on the ladder
of life and career success.
That's "A Yes"...Alternative
Youth Economic Solutions!",
says Ms. Kelly.
"AYES
Youth In Business Training
Certificate Program" is a
501C3 initiative.
Contributions are
graciously accepted and can
be made to help students
needing scholarships and
program materials in order
to participate in program.
For more information, please
call 423.421.5646 or
emailing
sisters@sistersinbusiness.net.
October 4 – 25, 2008, Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:00
pm
Ages 14 and up
$150.00
Call 697-3100 to register
This “boot camp” type
workshop offers teens 21st century readiness
training, and a personal business toolkit
that will grow with them. Using PC,
Keyboarding, Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Publisher and Outlook computer applications,
this project-based class helps teens create
“real-world” tools that will help assure
their personal business savvy, and success
in school, college, career, and life.
High School Sr. Project tools and techniques
are also covered.
AYES (Alternative Youth
Economic Solutions) offers academic
enrichment, career counseling, job
preparation, certificate of achievement,
Continuing Education unit (CEU) credit,
class training, hands-on experience,
and credentials that can be shown on
student’s job and college applications, and
resumes. A USB Thumb Drive storage
device for student’s portfolio and other
electronic works is also provided, and given
to students after completion of class.
AYES Youth In Business Networking and Job
Services are also offered to students
successfully completing the course.
GREAT FOR
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PROJECT HELP, AND MORE!
Walgreens Youth
Friendly Business
Partner
Walgreens-Gunbarrel, Manager
Arnold AYES "Youth Friendly Business"
Partner
“AYES Youth In Business wishes to thank “Youth
Friendly Business” Partner
Walgreens Pharmacy Gunbarrel Road and its
Manager Patricia Arnold in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, for their support and donation to
the AYES Youth In Business Training
Certificate Program.
"I am the
Store Manager of Walgreens and we have an
internship program for business minded
students through out the summer. As we start
to prepare our young people to learn
professional behavior they will be an asset
for many job opportunities. As a company we
have several opportunities for young people
to learn and operate of our Retail Drug
Business. Starting from service clerks,
photo lab technicians, beauty advisors,
inventory coordinators, pharmacy
technicians, assistant managers, store
managers and pharmacist. I would like the
opportunity to discuss your program further.
As my company is opening 5 new stores
through out South East Tennessee I think we
could utilize a few good employees and build
a wonderful work force. We currently have 22
stores with in our area and plan on
continuous growth with in this market.
Please contact me Monday through Friday from
9am-4pm."
--Thank you
Patricia Arnold
Walgreens
Pharmacy Store Manager 2289 Gunbarrel Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421
AYES (Alternative
Youth Economic Solutions)
is a 501C3 education and training technology
program created and taught by Tekelia C.
Kelly, Founder/Owner of Sisters In
Business.Net, and Adjunct Instructor at
Chattanooga State Technical Community
College.
"Hire & Inspire" Youth in Business!
YOUTH IN BUSINESS TRAINING . JOB BANK .
NETWORKING . ECONOMIC DEV . PORTFOLIO
We are seeking
businesses and professionals
who would be interested in participating in
the AYES Youth In Business Training
Certificate Program as a business
consultant, sponsor,
employer, mentor, or other
type of supporter. Businesses will be
given the opportunity to "hire & inspire"
youth in business ages 15 and up. They may
serve as subject matter experts on class
business projects and applications as they
relate to their business, and have a
platform to demo products/services, share
company information, and announce potential
jobs.
Rachel Kelly
-UTC Ronald McNair "Exemplary"
Scholar
Rachel Kelly
"Exemplary Scholar" Award at UT Ronald
McNair Program
Rachel
Maria Kelly (pictured left), a Senior at the
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)
was honored with a Ronald McNair Scholar
Fellowship at The University of Tennessee in
Knoxville (UT) this summer. The Ronald
McNair Program Summer 2008 Research
Institute began Sunday, May 25, 2008 and
ended Saturday, July 25, 2008.
During an end-of-program ceremony Ms. Kelly
was honored with the Stellar Award for her
research presentation as well as the
Exemplary Scholar Award for her
overall achievement in the program.
The University of Tennessee's Ronald McNair
Program is designed to encourage and
facilitate doctoral studies.
Dr. Lisa Cothran , Assistant Professor of
Psychology at the University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga (pictured right) recommended and
mentored Ms. Kelly for the program.
Dr. Cothran, a previous Ronald McNair
Scholar among her other numerous
accomplishments, has met one of the special
challenges of the program which is to also
receive the Ph.D., become a member of
college faculty, and encourage others to
pursue the Ronald McNair Program.
Rachel's mother, Tekelia Kelly, shared, "We
are so very appreciative of Dr. Cothran and
grateful for her support of Rachel!
Dr. Cothran's recommendation and mentoring
of Rachel is an exemplary demonstration of
one who seeks to 'pass the baton'."
Rachel's participation in the Ronald McNair
program included a GRE Prep Course,
(Statistics) Research Study time, *IDS =
Stands for Interdisciplinary studies, and
includes modules in Technical Writing,
Research methods and Library systems and
services, research assistance with research
doctors, and conference presentations.
An entrepreneur of Miss Rachel's Premium
Childcare and Personal Assistant Service,
Rachel was honored with the Youth In
Business Owner Award last year at the
Sisters In Business 2nd Annual Business
Women's Empowerment Luncheon and Business
Expo. She returns home to Chattanooga
to complete her last semester towards her
Bachelor of Science degree, and to graduate
this December from UTC. Rachel's major
is in Psychology, and minor in Criminal
Justice. She plans to attend graduate
school and begin work on her Ph.D. doctorate
degree in School Psychology. Rachel's
career goal is to work as a School
Psychologist.
The
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Achievement Program is for undergraduates
who want to earn a Ph.D.
The University of Tennessee's Ronald McNair
Program is designed to encourage and
facilitate doctoral studies in the following
areas:
• Agricultural Sciences
• Agri-business
• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Biology
• Ecology
• Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Micro-biology
• Physics
• Statistics
• Quantitative Psychology and related fields
* All fields of study are considered;
however,
priority is given to the
aforementioned
The Ronald McNair Post Baccalaureate
Achievement Program is a TRIO program funded
by a grant from the U.S. Department of
Education. Based on his dedication to
young people and his image as an outstanding
role model of achievement, especially for
young Americans, the United States Congress
named the newly established
Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program for
Ronald E. McNair in December 1986. The U.S.
Department of Education, which administers
the program, recognized the need to address
the lack of sufficient numbers of doctoral
students who come from low-income,
first-generation backgrounds, and students
from groups underrepresented in graduate
education. The Department of Education
initiated the McNair Program to improve
students' preparation and motivation for
graduate study. The first McNair Scholars
program began in 1989.
Welcome to AYES (Alternative
Youth Economic Solutions) Youth In Business! Sisters In Business has a
passion for youth, and also wish for them to discover their potential to do
business as young business employees and/or entrepreneurs. Do you know a
young person who has marketable skills? Do they show the potential of
being in a business? Maybe they are good at word processing, or other
office applications, provide computer training or computer technical support,
can sing, dance, or do dramatizations for special occasions, create dynamic
drawings and wonderful paintings, knit or crochet beautiful blankets, braid
hair, has baby sitting service, write story/poetry books, or tutor children.
If
you, or someone you know, are able to provide part-time, full-time, summer, job
coop, internship, shadowing, or apprenticeship type employment opportunities for
students as a means to supplement their life/career paths with sustainable
income; or if you would be interested in learning more about the AYES
Youth In Business program, please email
sistersinbusiness@comcast.net.
Click here for AYES YOUTH IN BUSINESS vision.
Please consider being a mentor to children
whenever you can. Thank you!.
It
's 'A YES'! WE WANT YOU...IN THE AYES YOUTH IN BUSINESS NETWORK!
This AYES Youth In Business
portal serves as an adult/jr. business network and information exchange for
youth employment and entrepreneur opportunities. Here will be a list
a list of Jobs for Youth, for which the Sisters In Business provides development
and training. Also, in this portal will be youth classifieds for youth
seeking employment and companies/individuals who seek to hire youth as interns,
for coops, and the like. This portal will also post related community
announcements about opportunities for youth and adult mentorships, and provide a
list of "Youth Friendly" Businesses.
Email us
yours and we'll add them. Also let us know how you can partner with us to
develop AYES (Alternative Youth Economic Solutions)
Thanks! -Sisters In
Business
Youth In
Business Special Feature
Youth In the Business of Doing
Ministry
Ashley and Chelsea Mello
are two sisters in need of raising six thousand dollars in funds to go on
a missions trip to Kenya, Africa. Read more about their story below:
"God has been so faithful in providing for us and preparing us for this
trip. We are so excited about this opportunity to love and serve others.
Our plane departs February 13th at 2:24pm from Atlanta. We arrive back
home three weeks later.
We are part of a team of 12 that is going with an organization called
Manna Relief. They provide nutritional supplements to orphans on every
continent. They have already reached 42,000 orphans in 300 orphanages in
72 countries.
What do we do?
When we visit the orphanages we will be delivering products and educating
the caretakers. The team will have opportunities to play with the
children, pass out toys, share Bible stories, and perform skits and
puppet songs. We may help paint, or with assist in a construction
project, or help with administration in an office; any practical ways we
can bless the missionaries that we go to serve. Most definitely we will
be giving out lots of hugs and smiles!
Thank you so very much for all your help!
His servants,
Chelsea and Ashley Mello"
To support Ashley and Chelsea on their mission to help others, please send
your check donations made payable to Ashley Mello (for Manna Relief) to
the following address. Please send as soon as possible, preferably
by February 10th.
Bring back
those good old days of Youth Employment Training Programs...like the one that
taught my sister how to be a Dental Assistant when she was just in high school.
This was a skill she fell back on and used to start her career; and yielded her
income and sustainability. Do you think we need more Job Coops,
Internships, and Apprenticeship for the youth in our communities? I think
of these opportunities as Alternative Youth Economic (or Employment) Solutions
(AYES).
Why AYES,
because typically there is not a B-line from secondary school to a professional
level position. More times than not, one must have further development to
learn and attain skills that put him or her in position for a high-level paying
job. Ah, yes...I can see it. We can bring our youth/young adults
alongside of us. We can train and mentor them for the business world.
We could let them shadow what we do and glean from our knowledge and skills.
We can help them develop values, life skills, and work ethics; and demonstrate
for them how to shoulder responsibility and be accountable. We can
empower them by giving them meaningful work in order to help them realize their
potential and employability to make significant earnings. We can engage
them as "youth in business"...be it their own, or someone else's.
What about
youth who are motivated to be in business for themselves; discovering and
embracing their own creativity and passion? Not all meaningful and
profitable work has come from one attending a university, or four-year college;
but by way of inventions, hobbies, and such. And even on the way to
attending a higher-level institution, usually everyone--youth an adult alike,
find themselves in need of supplemental income. It is during these times
that we all must be able to turn inward, and draw from our human reservoir of
talents, skills, abilities, for the purpose serving others, meeting their needs;
and generating income for our own livelihood.
We are all
shaped with special gifts and talents. We must learn how to hone those
special gifts and embrace them as the precious commodities they are. We
must help youth determine those inherent human talents inside of them, and see
them as commodities to be packaged like a valuable product and served
continuously in the marketplace. We must teach youth that they have a
special purpose and shape, and show them the art of inventing and reinventing
themselves in life. We must teach them the economy of creating demand all
while helping them know how to be the suppliers to generate their own personal
wealth. This is human economic development. This is recycling
giving. This is the interim way to one generating income and sustaining
livelihood while pursuing higher-level goals. Or perhaps maybe the youth
will discover while in the interim that his or her “means to an end and
“higher-level” goal are one and the same.
Please
stay tuned for how we in the private sector, both corporate and even small
business can work together with the non-profit sector, through job partnerships,
coops, internship, and sponsorships; to give youth the personal, professional,
profitable skills they need to build their future, all the while benefiting our
community socio-economically as well. Either as a professional/executive
working for a business, or entrepreneur who owns a business, let us determine
how can we can plug-in to our youth and empower a brighter future for us all.
Types of Youth Jobs
Artists
Babysitters (Childcare Providers)
Blood Donor Technician
Hair Braiders
Cake Bakers (
Computer Camp Technician
Computer Trainers
Dental Assistants
Fitness Technicians
Poets
Tour Guides
Tutors
Web Page Developers
Positions like
mailroom clerks, sorters, telemarketing, computer aided drafting, Level-one
computer support, multimedia productions, graphic designer, office assistant,
cosmetology assistant, cashier, store clerk, customer service, telephone sales,
sales clerk, hospital diet aide, seamstress assistant, exercise class assistant,
lawn maintenance, babysitting, arts and crafts designing, and beauty/barber
assistants are just some of the jobs we can see youth successfully doing at an
entry level in the workforce. We think it can work...for both youth and
employers. It's a shift in thinking...but "shift happens, as can be seen
in the
Did You Know Shift Happens video, a state of
the art documentary on socio-economic and educational need for preparing youth
in the future.
Do you have other suggested jobs for
youth?
We'd like to hear from you.
Click here to email us
your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, comments, or questions.
“Success Skills Toolkit for Teens” Workshop and Certificate
Course Designer/Instructor: Tekelia C. Kelly
Chattanooga State Technical Community College
Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 14 and up
$150.00
Call 423-421-5646 for more information
This “boot camp” type workshop offers teens
21st century readiness training, and a personal business
toolkit that will grow with them. Using PC,
Keyboarding, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and
Outlook computer applications, this project-based class
helps teens create “real-world” tools that will help
assure their personal business savvy, and success in
school, college, career, and life. High School Sr.
Project tools and techniques are also covered.
AYES (Alternative Youth Economic Solutions)
offers academic enrichment, career counseling, job
preparation, certificate of achievement, Continuing
Education unit (CEU) credit, class training, hands-on
experience, and credentials that can be shown on
student’s job and college applications, and resumes.
A USB Thumb Drive storage device for student’s portfolio
and other electronic works is also provided, and given
to students after completion of class. AYES Youth
In Business Networking and Job Services are also offered
to students successfully completing the course.
INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PROJECT HELP, AND MORE!
Success Skills 21st Century Classes
Personal Finances
Learn
how
to save, invest, establish good credit,
obtain a checking account, and more!
For ages 17 and older?
Using an object-based scripting language learn basic programming concepts such
as variables, decision structures (if-else), iterative repetition) structures.
Over the course of the weekdesign and code a simple game program (or two) and
learn to incorporate your program(s) into a website. A touch of HTML and
incorporating graphics into a web pagewill be included.
Learn the proper and efficient way to type your book reports. Campers will
learn the touch method to key letters, numbers, symbols, and the numeric keypad.
Campers will also learn the basic formatting techniques, such as setting
margins, tabs, and horizontal centering.
Webpage Design(Age 13 &up, Max. 12 people), $50
July 21-25,1:00 - 4:00p.m.
Learn to create dynamic interactiveweb based applications that run within a web
browser. Basic computer programming concepts will be covered in addition
to an introduction to HTML, graphics and interactive forms.
Louis
Armstrong
was well
known
for his
smiling
face,
raspy
voice,
white
handkerchief,
and
virtuoso
trumpet
playing.
Yet his
childhood
was one
of want
and
pain. He
was
abandoned
by his
father
as an
infant
and sent
to
reform
school
when he
was only
12.
Surprisingly,
this
became a
positive
turning
point.
Music
professor
Peter
Davis
regularly
visited
the
school
and
provided
musical
training
for the
boys.
Soon
Louis
excelled
on the
cornet
and
became
the
leader
of the
boys’
band.
His life
trajectory
seemed
to have
been
reset to
become a
world-famous
trumpet
player
and
entertainer.
Louis’
story
can be
an
example
for
Christian
parents.
The
proverb:
“Train
up a
child in
the way
he
should
go, and
when he
is old
he will
not
depart
from it”
(Prov.
22:6)
can
apply to
more
than the
spiritual
and
moral
aspects
of our
children’s
lives.
We
should
also
realize
that a
child’s
giftedness
will
often
determine
his or
her area
of
interest.
In the
case of
Louis, a
little
training
in music
resulted
in a
virtuoso
trumpet
player.
As we
lovingly
provide
to our
children
godly
instruction
from
God’s
Word, we
should
encourage
them in
their
interests
and
giftedness
so that
they
might
become
all that
God has
planned
for them
to be.
Our
children
are
a
gift
from
God
On
loan
from
heaven
above,
To
train
and
nourish
in
the
Lord,
And
guide
them
with
His
love.
—Sper
Save
a
child,
save
a
life.
The AYES trademark and name was officially changed
from Alternative Youth Economic Solutions to Alternative
Youth Empowerment Solutions by owner Tekelia Kelly on
January 16, 2010.
AYES
YOUTH FRIENDLY BUSINESSES 2009-2010
The businesses listed here welcome youth seeking to
learn more about going into business and opportunities
to work in a commercial business.
1. “Thank you for your opinion. I’ll think
about it.” When you receive unsolicited advice
at a family gathering, such as Aunt Sylvia’s suggestion
that you change your hairstyle, just smile and respond
with this casual conversation terminator. If you’re
rudely asked a question like “Are you still single?”
don’t reply with a lengthy excuse. Say, “Yes, and I’ll
let you know if anything changes.” The goal is to be
polite and end the conversation. There is no need to be
defensive or rude.
2. “Is this a good time for you?”
Whenever I want my husband’s full attention for a
conversation and I don’t want to compete with a football
game on TV, I ask this simple question. If he gives me a
green light by saying yes (and turning off the game), I
proceed. If he says no, I ask, “When would be a better
time?” We then agree on another time and a fight is
avoided. Consider using this line at work, too. Your
boss and coworkers will appreciate it.
3. “Would you like my thoughts?” One
of the biggest complaints kids have about parents is
that they constantly issue orders and judgments.
Sometimes this is a parent’s job. But if you are often
confronted with an angry response (“Who made you the
authority?” or “It’s none of your business”), you might
benefit from dialing back. Ask your child if she wants
to hear what you have to say. If she says yes, it means
she is ready to listen. If she says no, then button your
lip. This works for adult family members, too.
4. “Why don’t we get the facts?”
Some people who come to mediation tend to argue about
anything and everything, including things that can be
easily resolved. If you find yourself in a dispute with
your brother about the price of a car or the name of the
restaurant you went to over the holidays last year,
state this one-liner, then look up prices online, call a
store, or drive by the restaurant―not so one of you can
say, “I told you so,” but so you can move on from the
discussion before it spirals into a fight.
5. “I need your help. Can you please…?”
People often ask me what they can say to family members
or coworkers who don’t assume their share of
responsibility. Here’s my simple tip: Rather than
accusing the person of being lazy or inconsiderate, ask
her for what you want and be specific. “Since we both
drink coffee, how about if I make the pot and you clean
it, or vice versa?” People are not mind readers.
6. “Let’s wait on this until we have more
information.” Know when to table a discussion.
One couple came to me with a dispute that had turned
into a huge problem for them: They were constantly
arguing over whether they should stay in their city
apartment or move to a house in the suburbs. The issue
wasn’t which choice they should make (they had already
agreed they wouldn’t move for three years, or until
their oldest child reached school age); it was that they
were having a premature argument. At times like these,
it’s important to remind yourself and your conversation
partner that it’s too early to discuss the issue.
Preferences will change over time, as will facts, such
as home prices.
Computer Keyboarding
Ask
us about our
Online Learning Classes featured at Chattanooga State
Learning Empowerment Strategies
Happy New Year!
I hope your holidays were enjoyable and restful;
and you are enjoying our beautiful fallen snow
today!
I wanted to share a couple of ideas that came
out of a conversation I had with my daughter
Rachel, who is in her 2nd year of graduate
school at UTC. Rachel is working on her
EDS in School Psychology; as a paraprofessional
at Signal Centers; and as a Graduate Assistant
in UTC’s school Psychology program. She
also completed her practicum involving two
Hamilton County schools this past year, and will
start her internships this year.
As we all know transitioning from Middle to High
School brings with it its own set of challenges,
particularly where student privacy and peer
pressure are concerned. It is hoped that
the following ideas will help toward addressing
those challenges.The
ideas are as follows:
At the beginning of each school year, semester,
or whenever feasible, upon presenting students
with information packets, include a form with
teacher’s email address to allow students to
notify teacher that they
qualify for IEP, or have
other special needs (handicap accessibility,
etc.)This is
particularly aimed at facilitating IEP students
in protecting their privacy, while more subtly
meeting their needs.
However, I like that if the form is designed
accordingly, it can also allow for "every"
student to communicate their needs.
This would prove helpful for both the teacher
and the student, and make for better
communications, connectivity and interactivity
between the student and teacher, for hopefully
even better learning outcomes.
When taking this approach, or even when teacher
makes a verbal request for the “documents”, the
student is not "singled out", if you will,
allowing for more privacy, and where the student
can return his/her information amongst
documents, and/or via email to the teacher.
The second suggestion is to have an IEP
Consortium. This consortium would consist
of those who typically attend school-wide IEP
team meetings, but should also include volunteer
IEP students who are willing to share their
experiences and perspectives on what the
challenges, needs, and interests might be for an
IEP student, as well as all other students
transitioning from middle to high school, high
school to college, college to work, and so
forth.
Thank you for your consideration. Please
let me know if I can be of any assistance.
As many of you know, I recently received an arts
grant to open a studio! YEAH! So now
I have this great space, but I need students.
I have several opening still available for this
summer on Thursdays and Saturdays for children
and adults. Come and learn something new
this summer or pass this along to someone whose
been talking about learning to sew! Please
see attached flyer for more detail, or feel free
to call me.
Sinceely,
Kimara Dawn
Sew Shop Designs
423.320.6717
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Mary Kay Consultants
Business Opportunity!
Need extra money? Want to start your own business.
Seeking better quality of life?
Join our Mary Kay team at Sisters In Business.Net.
Call 423.421.5646
Or email sistersinbusiness@comcast.net
Read our story:
The Sisters In Business Mary Kay Story!
Over 30 years ago, SIB
owner Tekelia Kelly was introduced to Mary Kay
as a college student. Loving the products
for herself, she decided to share her great find
with friends on campus, accepting a Mary Kay
recruiter's invitation and opportunity to become
a Mary Kay Independent Consultant. At that
time Tekelia had the benefit of being exposed to
the business of Mary Kay and seasoned Mary Kay
leaders, to include Mary Kay Founder Mrs Mary
Kay Ash herself.
Fast forward to 2006, upon
hearing and realizing the need more and more
for women to have a platform for advertising and
marketing their business, seeking to help
empower women in business, Tekelia Kelly
launched Sisters In Business.Net. Always
researching models of success for women, Kelly
rediscovered Mrs. Ash and Mary when reading the
Mark Kay story. Now a business connoisseur
herself, with strong interests in business
development and entrepreneurship, Tekelia saw
how Mary Kay's mantra "Enriching Women's Lives"
and her own " Empowering Women In Business" were
from the same heart, vision, and even the same
faith...God first, family second, career third.
(See SIB's Proverbs 31 Creed)
More to come....
Over three years of
empowering women at Sisters In Business.Net
SIB becomes a "go-to"
resource for support and advocacy of women and
their businesses.
The Mary Kay Reunion.
Seeking to support and empower teacher-friend on
her way to becoming Mary Kay Director, Tekelia
attends Muffins and Makeovers, and rediscovers
the enriching power of Mary Kay.
Economy spins more and
more women to call on SIB for business support
and opportunity
Customer demand for
Mary Kay brought to Sisters In Business.
No Mary Kay
representative found in Sister In Business
Network.
SIB welcomes Mary Kay!
Launches Mary Kay SIB Business Team Opportunity
to help empower more women.
SIB's AYES Youth In
Business program leverages Mary Kay's business
model and offers entrepreneurship opportunity.
Power and Pamper Party!
Celebrating SIB/Mary Kay Initiative, June 27,
2009 at the Pink Studio, Chattanooga, TN
BEAUTY &
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
TRAINING
Need
extra money? Want to start your own
business. Seeking better quality
of life?
Join
our Mary Kay Business Team at Sisters In
Business.Net. and get great exposure and
other great benefits. We'd LOVE to
have you! Contact us at
information below.
Message: "Realize
you beauty and business goals all right
here!"
ALTERNATIVE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SOLUTIONS
Are
You A
"Youth Friendly Business?"
"Hire & Inspire" Youth in Business!
YOUTH IN
BUSINESS TRAINING . JOB BANK . NETWORKING . ECONOMIC DEV
. PORTFOLIO .
MEDIA
KIT
We are seeking
businesses and professionals who would be
interested in participating in the AYES Youth In
Business SKills Training Certificate Program as a
business consultant, sponsor, employer, mentor, or other
type of supporter. Businesses will be given the
opportunity to "hire & inspire" youth in business ages
15 and up. They may serve as subject matter experts on
class business projects and applications as they relate
to their business, and have a platform to demo
products/services, share company information, and
announce potential jobs.
The "AYES
Youth In Business Training Certificate Program" is a
501C3 program created and taught
by Tekelia C. Kelly, Founder/Owner of Sisters In
Business.Net, and also Adjunct Faculty Member at
Chattanooga State Technical Community College.
AYES at Chattanooga State
Summer 2008!
AYES "Youth In
Business" Training Program by Sisters In Business.Net
at Chattanooga
State!
"
AYES
Youth In Business" Training Curriculum is designed and
taught by Tekelia C. Kelly, SIB Founder/Owner and
Adjunct Faculty Member at Chattanooga State Technical
Community College
Three
(3) Certificates, Professional Portfolio, & Built-in
Networking
for
Job Readiness & Competitive Edge in the Marketplace:
Learn the proper and efficient way to type your book reports.
Campers will learn the touch method to key letters, numbers,
symbols, and the numeric key pad. Campers will also
learn the basic formatting techniques, such as setting
margins, tabs, and horizontal centering
“Success Skills
Toolkit for Teens” by AYES Youth In Business
Course Instructor/Creator: Tekelia C. Kelly
Chattanooga
State Technical Community College – Room/Location (to be
announced)
$150.00
October 4 – 25, 2008 Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 14 up
This “boot camp” type workshop offers teens 21st century readiness
training, and a personal business toolkit that will grow
with them. Using PC, Keyboarding, Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook computer applications,
this project-based class helps teens create “real-world”
tools that will help assure their personal business savvy,
and success in school, college, career, and life. High
School Sr. Project tools and techniques are also covered.
AYES offers
academic enrichment, career counseling, job preparation,
certificate of achievement, Continuing Education unit (CEU)
credit, class training, hands-on experience, and
credentials that can be shown on student’s job and college
applications, and resumes. A USB Thumb Drive storage
device for student’s portfolio and other electronic works
are also provided, and given to students after completion of
class. AYES Youth In Business Networking and Job
Services are also offered to students successfully
completing the course.
YOUTH IN BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAM GIVEN A YES AT CHATTANOOGA STATE --PRESS
RELEASE
AYES Youth In Business Training Program by Sisters In Business.Net
Debuts at
Chattanooga State Technical Community College
YOUTH IN BUSINESS PROGRAM GETS 'A YES' AT CHATTANOOGA STATE
Empowering Socio-Economic Development of Youth through Education,
Employment & Entrepreneurship
Chattanooga, Tennessee -
January 31, 2008 Chattanooga State Technical Community
College will host Sisters In Business.Net's AYES Youth In Business
Training Program as part of its Spring and Summer 2008 Continuing
Education and Workforce Development class schedule. (See catalog
below) AYES (Alternative Youth Economic Solutions) is designed for
youth/young adults 15 and older as a way of supplementing their life
and career paths with alternative income options.
Workshop-like classes will provide upbeat, hands-on, and interactive
learning, that is results-oriented and offers three diverse
certificates: Computer Operations, Office Skills, and Interpersonal
Skills Development. Students will create business projects, a
professional portfolio, and leverage networking resources to help
assure job readiness and a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Scholarship funding is also available.
The purpose of AYES is to empower youth as employees and
entrepreneurs through education, enrichment, enterprise, employment
and economic development. The program also serves to help generate
paying positions for students in the form of high-school and college
internships, part-time and full-time positions, and entrepreneur
business opportunities.
The program, designed and developed by Tekelia Kelly, founder and
owner of Sisters In Business.Net and Chattanooga State adjunct
Computer Technology instructor, will interface with area businesses
seeking to connect with today's young workforce, and offer
employment, networking and/or business partnering opportunities.
Businesses will be given the opportunity to serve as subject matter
experts on class business projects and applications as they relate
to their businesses, and have a platform to demo products and
services, share company information, and present job opportunities.
The two-tiered program has a curriculum that can be delivered as
tracks themed: "Mind Your Business", which focuses on developing
one's business skills for personal life and career; and "Mind Your
Own Business", which focuses on developing one's entrepreneur
business skills.
Computer technology and business skills training, blended with
career development, mentoring, and business community interaction,
make for viable alternatives that can empower the socio-economic
development and income opportunities of youth. That's 'A Yes'!
Contact Info
For more information about the AYES Youth In Business program at
Chattanooga State Technical Community College, please visit
www.sistersinbusiness.net, or
click here. To register and for information about
scholarships, contact Chattanooga State at 423-697-3100.
If you are a business or professional who would like to
participate in the program as a class presenter, sponsor,
employer, mentor, and/or other type of supporter please contact
Tekelia Kelly at sistersinbusiness@comcast.net.
AYES
also seen in Chattanooga State Spring & Summer Schedule, and Blush
Magazine February 2008
“Her Mark” Article
p. 34
Discover the Power of AYES Youth In Business Training by Sisters In
Business.Net!
Now youth can more “skillfully” attain jobs
that offer sustainable income while navigating their career and life
paths, with AYES Youth In Business Job Training Program, by Sisters In
Business.Net. Implemented now at Chattanooga State Technical Community
College AYES (Alternative Youth Economic Solutions)offers 3 “power-start work” certificates in
Computer Operations, Interpersonal Skills, and Office skills, empowering
youth to be more job-ready and market competitive as either employees or
entrepreneurs. REGISTER NOW!
Call 423-697-3100. For
more information call 423.421.5646, or visit
www.sistersinbusiness.net.
Youth In Business Training & Development …That’s “A YES”!
About the Program
AYES (Alternative Youth Economic Solutions) serves to empower the
socio-economic development, employment, and education needs of youth and
young adults as they transition from high school, to college, in the
workforce, seeking a career, or starting a business. A project-based
curriculum with very hands-on instruction, AYES prepares students to find
viable job opportunities that offer sustainable income in the form of
internships, summer jobs, part-time and full-time work, and entrepreneur
business opportunities, as they navigate their career and life paths.
The AYES program is designed to interface with business employers and
entrepreneurs seeking to connect with today's young workforce, and offer
employment, networking and/or business partnering opportunities.
Businesses will be given the opportunity to participate as subject matter
experts in classroom on projects and applications relevant to their
business. Also, businesses will have a platform to demonstrate products
and services, share company information, and present job opportunities to
a young buying consumer market.
Through a collaborative effort of employers, partners, and the businesses
in the Sisters In Business Network, training, networking, mentoring,
employment, and business services will yield a comprehensive and
alternative approach to youth workforce development; one which leverages
both in-classroom learning and on-the job-training, making for
experiential learning and transferable knowledge that students can use to
be successful…that’s A YES!
About the Instructor
Tekelia Kelly, creator, program director, and instructor for AYES Youth In
Business Training Program, is an adjunct faculty member at Chattanooga
State Technical Community College, where she teaches computer technology
curriculum for the both the college and continuing education divisions.
She is a Business and Information Technology (IT) Consultant, with over 15
years professional work experience in Corporate Business, having worked
for employers such as Federal Express, First Tennessee Bank, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, Provident Companies, and the City of
Chattanooga, in positions such as service engineer, education systems
analyst, and project manager.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from the
University of Memphis, and has graduate level coursework completed towards
a Masters of Science degree in Instructional Design & Technology.
In
addition to being the Founder and CEO of Sisters In Business.net (SIB),
Tekelia owns and operates FYI (For Your Information), which provides
Business Consulting, IT Project Management, Workforce/Career/Personal
Development Training, Computer Technology Training, Tech-Ed Curriculum
Coordination, K-12 Educational Teaching, and Tutoring services. FYI has
served businesses, schools, colleges, and homes since 1995.
She has been responsible for the coordination of education and information
technology initiatives such as Mapco Petroleum’s Computer Training Program
and Employee Learning Center Development, The Frist Center’s Emergency
Action Plan E-Learning System, and education technology youth programs for
both public and private schools, and community centers in Chattanooga and
Memphis, Tennessee!
Tekelia was the Project Manager of University of Tennessee’s (UTC) Lupton
Technology "Smart Classroom" project, responsible for the project’s
cross-campus implementation, operation, and training of faculty, students,
and staff. Her experience includes developing computer based training
software and delivering online and remote training solutions for business
and academic settings.
As
a Provident Companies Business Consultant for Junior Achievement, Tekelia
was awarded the Junior Achievement “Pioneer Award” in 1998 for the
start-up and development of JA’s “Success Skills 2000” program at
Chattanooga High School, a career and life skills program for high school
seniors. In 2006, she was honored with the “Unbought and Unbossed Women
Leadership Award” by Girls Inc.
"Exuberant" might be too mild a word to describe Tekelia Kelly. The minute you
ask her about Sisters in Business, the company she founded two years ago to
promote businesswomen in the marketplace, she starts talking faster. "My passion
and my vision give me energy;' says the petite, outgoing entrepreneur with the
startlingly firm handshake. "I want the community to be connected. I want
everybody to win.”
A self-proclaimed "geek;' Tekelia majored in industrial engineering at the
University of Memphis and, for 15 years, worked as a service engineer, project
manager and information technology consultant. In 1995, she started her own
computer training business, FYI (For Your Information), setting up programs for
companies and schools. By 1998, she and her husband were ready to come back to
Chattanooga, their hometown.
One day in early 2006, she and her sister were talking about how difficult it is
for women to start and maintain their own businesses. "Well, the first thing
that needs to happen;' she blurted out, "is that everybody needs to be
connected." Inspired by the conversation, Tekelia went home, created the Sisters
in Business (SIB) website and set out to offer advertising, training and
networking events ranging from mixers to workshops to trade shows. The
company, she points out, is "a for-profit business with non-profit outreach
appeal." Members hail from all socioeconomic, cultural and professional
backgrounds. Some own home-based. businesses, mom-and-pop stores and
franchises; others are doctors, lawyers and high-level executives. "It is so
beautiful to see;' says Tekelia. "You get all these different wonderful women, but they all have a heart of
sisterhood."
A performer at heart, she's too busy to pursue theater work right now, but she
makes time to sing on her church's praise team. And SIB gives her the creative
elbowroom she's always craved. "When I was in the corporate world, I would
always have to water myself down;' she says.” Now I can be all the things I'm
shaped to be."
She is especially fired” up about AYES (Alternative Youth Economic
Solutions-the acronym is pronounced a-yes), a training and internship program
for teens and young adults, which is now being offered at Chattanooga State. It's a 3-Certificate job
readiness for ages 15 and up. "There are certain parts of our culture that got
lost in terms of mentoring and interpersonal skills.” Tekelia says,
excitement rising in her voice. “The baton handoff got lost somewhere
between adults and youth. It is my passion--can you tell I’m
passionate?—to help bridge that.”
In an effort to connect
youth friendly businesses with the program, Sisters In Business.Net’s “Youth
Friendly Business “initiative will help identify companies interested in
supporting the socio-economic development of youth in the community.
Enterprises, employers, and business professionals who wish to participate in
the program as sponsors, employers, mentors, or business consultants will be
asked to generate job opportunities for youth; earnestly consider youth for
hiring at companies; offer youth viable and meaningful work experience; and
provide supplemental pay in the form of stipends, hourly wages, etc. wherever
possible. Volunteer job opportunities will also be an option.
Starting April 2008, jobs
will be posted online at the AYES Youth In Business Portal on the Sisters In
Business.Net website, allowing students to browse and apply for jobs online.
Employers may also contact AYES to inquire abut youth in the AYES program
available for hire, and receive referrals for finding youth to fill suitable
positions they may have open at their companies. Students having successfully
completed the AYES Youth In Business Certificate programs will also be given the
opportunity to participate in additional services offered through Sisters In
Business.Net to help gain employment, as well as take advantage of networking
opportunities with entrepreneurs and commercial businesses.
AYES was designed and
developed by Tekelia Kelly, founder, owner, and publisher of Sisters In
Business.Net; and long-time Chattanooga State adjunct Computer Technology
instructor. Mrs. Kelly will serve as project director and instructor for the
program. A former Education Systems Analyst for Provident Companies and former
Project Manager for University of Tennessee’s (UTC) Lupton's Technology "Smart
Classroom" project, Kelly has over 15 years professional business experience,
working for corporations such as Federal Express, First Tennessee Bank, and St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is a graduate from the University of
Memphis in Engineering Technology, with Instructional Design training, and has
provided curriculum and consultation
for both public and private school systems in Memphis and Chattanooga,
Tennessee. In 1998, as a Provident Companies Business Consultant for Junior
Achievement, Kelly was awarded the “Pioneer Award” for her start-up of Junior
Achievement’s inaugural “Success Skills 2000” program at Chattanooga High
School, a life skills development program for high school seniors. Her
instructional design experience also includes developing
company computer based training programs.
The AYES
program will empower youth in business
and will offer participating businesses a great opportunity to network and
market their business brand to a young buying consumer market, while forging new
customer relationships. For more information about the AYES Youth In Business
program at Chattanooga State Technical Community College, please visit
www.sistersinbusienss.net, or
click here. To register
and for information about scholarships,
contact Chattanooga State at 423-697-3100.
If you are a business or professional who would be interested in sponsoring,
mentoring, and/or donating to
the program, please contact Tekelia Kelly at
423.421.5646, or email
sistersinbusiness@comcast.net.
Sisters In Business.Net-Tekelia C. Kelly Enterprises, LLC Copyright All
rights reserved.
YES Youth In Business Training Program
AYES Youth In Business Internship Program
AYES Community Connections Central
AYES Youth Friendly Business & Partners
AYES Student Journalism Collaborative
AYES Mind Your Business Workshops, Online Learning & CD-ROM
AYES Mind Your Own Business Workshops, Online Learning & CD-ROM
Consistent with Ms.
Kelly's track record
as a teacher and
trainer in both
academic and
corporate business
settings,
respectively,
learners enrolled in
the AYES Youth
In Business Skills
Training Certificate
Program found
classes full of
helpful instruction
and exciting!
Students in each
class gave high
value ratings for
instructor delivery,
class content, class
effectiveness, and
overall
satisfaction.
Comments shared by
some students are
given below.
As
encouraged by Ms. Kelly for
students to use her as an
employment reference as well
as utilize the AYES/SIB Job
Bank Network, student Robin
asks the SIB Founder/CEO for
her business card during
class. Robin is
pursuing a job at a
Walgreens located in her
community. Students
have also been told by Ms.
Kelly that the AYES program
is dedicated to helping them
even after class is over.
Since the class ended, Kelly
has been in contact with her
job-seeking students and
their parents to evaluate
progress, and coach students
further as needed. As
Robin receives the business
card, Ms. Kelly tells her
that she is excited about
having the opportunity to
introduce such a bright,
sixteen year old, high
school student, who has
taken the initiative to be
trained for employment on
Saturday mornings during her
summer vacation. Robin
has training, some skills,
transportation, and
excitement about going to
work. Already
addressed is her online
application required for the
job. The next step for
Kelly...a call to the
Walgreens store manager in
Angie's neighborhood, and/or
maybe a letter of
recommendation...all in an
effort to "hire and inspire
a youth in business".
Rachel
Maria Kelly (pictured left), a Senior at the
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)
was honored with a Ronald McNair Scholar
Fellowship at The University of Tennessee in
Knoxville (UT) this summer. The Ronald
McNair Program Summer 2008 Research
Institute began Sunday, May 25, 2008 and
ended Saturday, July 25, 2008.
accomplishments, has met one of the special
challenges of the program which is to also
receive the Ph.D., become a member of
college faculty, and encourage others to
pursue the Ronald McNair Program.
The
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Achievement Program is for undergraduates
who want to earn a Ph.D.
The University of Tennessee's Ronald McNair
Program is designed to encourage and
facilitate doctoral studies in the following
areas:
It
's 'A YES'! WE WANT YOU...IN THE AYES YOUTH IN BUSINESS NETWORK!
Are
You A 
Tekelia
Kelly