Ten students participating in Pastor Wayne Williams' Youth Career Commission (YCC) two week immersive summer camp spent three days in the GS Business Innovation Group (BIG) downtown. They worked through a three day business start up exercise at the BIG. The business exercise builds on one of the camps goal of exposing young minds to the countless career opportunities available to them.
"Many of these students would never think about the possibility of opening their own business. Over the last three days Dr. Patrick Woock and his team at BIG spent three days teaching these bright minds the world of options available to them in business. If they have a great idea they worked through the process to bring that idea to market," said Pastor Wayne Williams. "The simulation ended with a "Shark Tank" style presentation in front of an impressive group of business leaders and business owners who gave generously of their time to listen to their pitches and give them constructive ideas of next steps."
The students came together as two groups of five and presented their ideas.
The first groups idea was named "Pop Socket Charger" or PSC. Their idea was to create a cell phone charger inside of popular "pop socket" accessory for the phones.
Group one included:
- Angelo Allen
- Jaiden Anderson
- Ja'Nae Coleman
- Ethan More
- Deidra Solomon
The second presentation idea was named "Where is My Car" or WMC. This groups idea was a parking garage monitoring system that would allow you to find you your car in a large parking garage. It would be able to locate the car in the parking space.
Group two included:
- Roderick Ellison
- Paul Johnson
- Leilani Larkins
- Jaidyn Mosby
- Cameron Natson
In the presentations each student had a role in speaking about their product. The judges were impressed with each of the students knowledge, poise and presentation skills. It was a high pressure environment, which was designed to put them in a real world business pitch scenario, and each of the students did extraordinary well.
By just a few votes, group two's WMC was selected the as the best business idea.
Both groups were presented with certificates of completion for the startup exercise and a gift card for Jonny Boy Cookies. The winning team received an additional gift from Pastor Williams.
The judges included:
- Curt Deal, Bulloch County Commissioner
- DeWayne Grice, Grice Connect
- Lori Grice, Lori Grice Photography
- Dr. Curtis Sproul, Entrepreneurship professor at GS
- Delores Groomes Dickey, COO of Brinson, Williams and Groomes Insurance and DSDA President
- Billy Hickman, Georgia State Senator and CPA with Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon
- Ja'Kori Cope, Grice Connect Youth Connect Summer Intern
Many of the judges were not familiar with Pastor Williams work with students through the YCC.
Edie Grace Grice volunteered with BIG and YCC to coordinate the judges and presentation. Eden Chavers is the BIG intern with the City''s Youth Connect program and assisted with the YCC class at BIG. Lisa Sampson also assisted. She is volunteering with the YCC summer camp program.
YCC and City of Statesboro's Youth Connect
The City of Statesboro's Youth Connect program has modeled their program after the work Pastor Williams had done through YCC, but the two are not connected.
The City's program is a five week intern program, which places students in local businesses and city departments. The 17 year old YCC program begins with a two week intensive, boot camp style, live in camp.
The YCC Journey
The students are taught important life skills like CPR, financial literacy and important soft skills. They are also exposed to top level leaders, in the community and around the country, who allow them the opportunity to see how different career fields can impact their future success. The journey does not stop after the two weeks end. Pastor Williams and his volunteers mentor and follow the children through to their chosen career field. The YCC is headquartered inside the Statesboro Outreach Center at 515 Denmark Street.
"We have created a curriculum that allows every activity to be a learning experience. We understand to keep them interested there has to be a good bit of fun included as well. We use the old carrot and stick approach. Students who are successful in the class are taken on a trip to expose them to more real world environments in business and life," said Pastor Williams. "This class was scheduled to go to New York and visit Wall Street. However, due to the forest fires we have shifted to an alternate plan. They will be going to Tennessee. It promises to be equally as exciting and educational."
Pastor Williams shared with the panel of judges more about his philosophy and success stories of lives transformed through this program. He currently caps the program at 10 children who choose him and the program. There is a competitive process to gain admission in the camp.
"I am blown away by Pastor Wayne Williams and his work in our community. I was not aware of this program but it is evident that he is making a huge difference in our community," said Senator Billy Hickman. "Not only having the opportunity to hear Pastor Williams testimony, but then to enter a room with these students and see them perform in such an impressive way touched my heart. These are the type of programs that our community should be championing and supporting in every way possible. I encouraged others to learn more about Pastor Williams and the YCC."
Pastor Williams is a retired military officer. He moved to Statesboro nearly 20 years ago when he was stationed at Ft. Stewart and fell in love with Statesboro. After retirement he and his wife Paula looked for a way to get involved in the community and decided to begin the YCC. It is a 501c3 non profit and they do accept contributions from the community. However, the majority of the financial support come from the Williams.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the camp, how to support their efforts or to make a contribution.
