Special to The Times
Growing Kings will host its inaugural celebration luncheon on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Florentine Building in downtown Birmingham. At the event, Growing Kings will commemorate its 7th year in existence, while highlighting the achievements and impact that its programming has had on its students and the community during the 2015-2016 school year.
The event will feature children’s advocate and founder of Harlem Children’s Zone, Geoffrey Canada who will deliver the keynote address on building an effective framework of achievement and significance within the lives urban male youth. Harlem Children’s Zone provides a range of services to youth and families in Harlem, New York. Canada’s work with the Harlem Children’s Zone continues to serve as an effective model for community transformation.
Over the last year of programming, Growing Kings’ main program, Journey of a King, yielded results such as a 15 percent increase in program participants’ academic performance, a 20% percent in their school attendance, and a 50 percent decrease in negative behavioral occurrences.
The Growing Kings Celebration Luncheon will also serve as a space for stakeholders to learn more about actions toward improving educational and societal outcomes for underserved male youth in communities throughout the nation. Attendees will include members of the philanthropic community, corporations, and civic organizations.
Individual tickets for the Celebration Luncheon are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.growingkings.org. If you are interested in serving as a sponsor, or to learn more about the Celebration Luncheon please contact Ballard Jones at ballard.jones@growingkings.org.
