PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Verizon Joins With Black Pride NYC
by Verizon Thursday July 31, 2003 at 09:52 AM
nmugambi@burrell.com (email address validated)

In conjunction with Verizon's sponsorship of the sixth annual Black Pride Week NYC, "Youth Agenda" will be held on Thursday, July 31. The day-long event introduces black youth, from 15 - 20 years of age to technology, promotes cultural expression, volunteerism and entrepreneurial development, and increases health awareness.

Verizon Joins With Black Pride NYC to Host Youth Agenda Event For Gay African Americans

Thirty Local Youth to Spend a Day Exploring Technology and Culture

NEW YORK - In conjunction with its sponsorship of Black Pride NYC and the annual Black Pride weekend, Verizon will host a series of educational and cultural activities on July 31 to foster a sense of pride, self- worth and hope in gay African-American youth. Events include a technology seminar at Verizon's Education and Technology Center in Harlem, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and a meeting with Phat Farm CEO and political activist Russell Simmons.

Thirty local youngsters will begin the day by attending the technology seminar and participating in a hands-on demonstration on how to use the Internet for information and career opportunities. The seminar discussion topics will include "The Dangers of Chat Rooms - Proceed with Caution," "Newsgroups: A World Beyond," and "Site Watch: Viewings of Cultural Web sites."

Afterwards, the youngsters will visit the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to learn about the center's history and participate in a cultural caf� with spoken word artists, and view actors performing slave narratives. The final event, a tour of the Phat Farm/RUSH headquarters, will include a private question-and-answer session with Phat Farm CEO Russell Simmons. Participants will then spend the evening interacting with peers at the Youth Evening Event, organized by Black Pride NYC.

"Verizon is committed to the progress of African-American youth through education, and we are proud sponsors of black pride events around the country," said Vincent Reed, Verizon's group manager, Multicultural Marketing. For his commitment to gay and lesbian youth in the black community, Black Pride NYC will present the Bayard Rustin Award to Reed during the Verizon Youth Agenda event.
"The Verizon Youth Agenda program is crucial to the LGBT community because our youth face low self-esteem and isolation due to their sexual orientation and lack of positive role models," said Laurence Pinckney, executive director, Black Pride NYC, Inc. "Through this program, these kids will have an opportunity to express themselves and learn from credible business and community leaders such as Verizon, Lincoln Center and Rush Philanthropic."



The Black Pride NYC 2003 Youth Agenda is sponsored by Verizon with participation from Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts, Rush Philanthropic, Soul Food and the Unity Fellowship Church of Brooklyn. Verizon's Education and Technology Center (VETC) is dedicated to educating the public about advances in communications and information services. VETC, located at 148 W. 125th St., provides customized seminars and tours to businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations and community groups. The center's seminars are free and open to the public. For information on courses offered at the VETC, visit http://www.verizon.com or call 866-882-0125.

www.blackpridenyc.com

add your comments