The first NAZ Youth Professional Development Summit was a powerful milestone for our scholars, bringing together high school students who showed up engaged, motivated, and ready to take meaningful steps toward their futures.
Throughout the day, scholars worked on building strong résumés, sharpening interview skills, and practicing professional communication. They also participated in honest, encouraging conversations about career pathways, postsecondary options, and the many possibilities available to them after high school. For many young people, these skills are not always taught explicitly, yet they are essential for navigating college, careers, and leadership opportunities with confidence.
We are grateful to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for pouring into our scholars through mentorship, presence, and authentic engagement. Their willingness to share lived experience and encouragement made a lasting impression. Thank you as well to Black, Educated, Successful, Thriving (B.E.S.T.) for providing real-world networking insights and guidance on personal branding and professional confidence, helping scholars see themselves as capable and prepared to enter professional spaces.
Our scholars left the summit more confident, more connected, and better equipped for what lies ahead. This is what intentional investment in youth looks like and why early preparation is not just helpful, but critical, for ensuring young people can step into their futures with purpose and possibility.