Club teens from Baton Rouge, Gretna, New Orleans and Slidell all gathered at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana's Westbank Club for a day of inspiration and insight into the world of sports business, entrepreneurship, and other potential career paths.
The day began with a "Total Teen Takeover" where professionals from various industries such as business management, healthcare, hospitality, and law enforcement spoke about their careers and provided insight into the skills and education needed to succeed in their respective fields. Club members even participated in hands-on activities, like practicing CPR techniques on mannequins when learning more about the healthcare industry. The teens were able to explore their interests and learn about opportunities they might not have known about before through these engaging discussions.
Club members were then joined by some special guests for the "Black Business Titans: Inspiring the Next Generation in Sports" event with the NFL and Everfi. This event exposed New Orleans area teens to the business side of sports as the city prepares to host the Super Bowl LIX in February.
Club members learned more about the world of sports business and entrepreneurship through a panel discussion, where speakers shared their journeys, challenges, and successes in the business. Saints safety Will Harris and Saints legend and Super Bowl XLIV champion Greg Fassitt were among some of the special guests that joined the teens for the inspirational discussion.
Panelists urged the teens to take steps to acheive their goals and take opportunities as they arise. "One of the most expensive things you can encounter is a missed opportunity," said Fassitt.
After the panel, speakers along with other NFL officials, helped Club members prepare their own business pitch. Teens were encouraged to develop an activation idea around Super Bowl LIX coming to their local community and present the brief pitch to a panel of Saints players, executives, and local community members who have business experience. Throughout the process, they were given tips for a successful pitch and ideas to make them stand out and received constructive feedback. Not only did Club members develop pitching abilities, but they also gained confidence in presenting their unique ideas and felt like they could really enhance the Super Bowl experience in New Orleans.
Shaping the next generation of leaders is important as it empowers young people to envision successful futures for themselves while giving them the necessary skills to get there. By providing experiences like this one, we are preparing them to make a positive impact on their communities and beyond.