Sadie Dennard

Sadie Dennard joined Georgia Power in 1980 and has held various positions in Communications and Corporate Relations. She currently serves as an Assistant Region Manager for Georgia Power's Metro East Region. In this role, Sadie ensures that customers receive quality customer service. She works with local leadership to build community capacity that will support and stimulate quality economic growth and development in DeKalb, Rockdale and portions of Newton County.

Sadie earned her BA degree in Public Communications from American University in Washington, D.C. She is passionate about improving our public schools and committed to helping parents advocates for their children. Sadie served three terms as a member of the Atlanta Board of Education and formerly served as Board President. She has been recognized and awarded for her educational leadership and community commitment at both the local and state levels.

Youth V.I.B.E.'s 10th Annual Gala Sets Records!

2006 Media Moguls Honorees:(L to R) Actor/Comedian Robert Townsend, "Being Bobby Brown" Executive Producer Wanda Shelley, Theater Actor/Director Kenny Leon & "Being Bobby Brown" Executive Producer Tracey Baker-Simmons

Update: Brian Reynolds Takes Youth V.I.B.E. Mission to China

Brian Reynolds is Youth V.I.B.E.'s first graduate to leave the country in search of business opportunities. Currently, Brian is studying Mandarin and Cantonese at the University with plans to obtain a degree in Chinese language and culture. When asked to explain why Youth V.I.B.E. is significant, Brian responded with: "Youth V.I.B.E. is very important because it helps to broaden young people's views. I've always believed in myself but because of my experience with Youth V.I.B.E. I saw my potential past Lithonia, past Georgia, past the Southeast and past the United States. Youth V.I.B.E. allows young entrepreneurs like myself to be global business players!



Board Expansion

Youth V.I.B.E. is pleased to announce that five respected professionals from the Atlanta business community are now members of the Youth V.I.B.E. family.
 

Dr. Tonya Echols is a board certified radiation oncologist with her own practice, Greater Atlanta Radiation Oncology Consultants, LLC. Dr. Echols proved her commitment to the Youth V.I.B.E. board by giving the Board’s first donation during Youth V.I.B.E.’s 9th annual fundraising event. Dr. Echols is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and received degrees from The John Hopkins University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Andrew Schutt is a Senior Partner in the Corporate Department of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, an Atlanta law firm with over 135 attorneys that serves the business transaction needs of growing public and private companies. He primarily represents individuals and companies in the sports and entertainment fields, and represents growing private and public companies in mergers and acquisitions, financing and general corporate matters, with a focus on businesses in the life science, telecommunications and technology fields.

Angela Lewis, a native of Washington, D.C., is currently an Account Executive for UPS. As a former top Sales & Marketing Representative for Pitney Bowes, Pepsi Cola and a few other Fortune 500 companies, she has received local and state sales awards and recognition for her consistent demonstration of a positive attitude and a high level of professionalism and integrity. Angela has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from the University of South Carolina. She is also a graduate of Leadership Clayton.

Rochelle Jones, of Kellen Company, is Youth V.I.B.E.’s immediate-past Program Director. Before relocating to the Atlanta area, Rochelle was Program Manager for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) in Alexandria, VA. While there she promoted and enhanced resources from constituent groups/supporters and developed practical tools to help facilitate efforts of the program including periodic newsletters, handbooks and directories. Rochelle also previously served as Membership Manager for the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) in Washington, DC. Rochelle received a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY and completed graduate coursework at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

In addition, Christopher Goode of Goode-Van Slyke Architecture joined the Youth V.I.B.E. Board of Directors. Thank you all for accepting our invitation to be a part of the Youth V.I.B.E. team!



Youth V.I.B.E. Selects Interim Program Director

Shaakira Shamsid-Deen has been selected as the new program director for Youth V.I.B.E. on a 7 month-interim basis.

Shaakira is a graduate of Morris Brown College with a B.A. in Humanities and Public Relations. Her involvement with youth includes, but is not limited to substitute teaching; and volunteering her time to at risk youth and troubled teens. More recently, Shaakira received local media attention for offering free shelter in several of her rental properties to Hurricane Katrina victims.

”I am very excited to have a hands-on role in the development of Youth V.I.B.E.,” says Shaakira. “Even though it’s for an interim basis, I know I can help strengthen the foundation for the next program director, a foundation that is already quite strong because of the awesome work done by the immediate past program director, Rochelle Jones.

“The goals I will pursue in 2006 will help to continue giving Youth V.I.B.E.’s teen participants a fresh, interactive spin on business mentoring. These goals include: 1) seeking new collaborations with school systems and businesses; 2) assisting with revising the program curriculum, and; 3) securing grant opportunities that will allow Youth V.I.B.E. to remain the program of choice for teens dedicated to changing their lives with entrepreneurship and strong business skills.”



Youth V.I.B.E. Sponsors 2005 Legislative Black Caucus Youth

50 students from Avondale High School’s Youth V.I.B.E. program joined nearly 500 Atlanta area students for the 2005 Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.





Youth V.I.B.E. sponsored the event’s youth summit that included a meet and greet session with legislators, a legislative simulation, a college expo and lunch. The simulation portion of the program provided youth with a working knowledge of the democratic process, and enhanced their skills in the area of parliamentary procedure.
 
 

Youth VIBE Annual Awards Banquet
Raises $20,000 for Teens Pursuing Entrepreneurship

Nearly 250 elected officials, business leaders and community activists were on hand on August 21 to help Youth V.I.B.E. celebrate its ninth year of mentoring teens interested in succeeding in business and as entrepreneurs.

This year’s celebration, entitled “Leading Ladies: A Salute to Women in Business,” paid tribute to women who are making a difference in their respected industries as well as the community.

Leading Lady honorees on the Callanwolde grand stair case.

Leading Lady honorees included Rashan Ali of HOT 107.9; Juanita Baranco of the Baranco Automotive Group; Grammy winner Regina Belle-Battle; TBS’s Kisha Cameron; Sadie Dennard of Georgia Power; Brenda Jackson, special events guru; teen entrepreneur and publisher Kenya Jordana James; Primerica Financial Services’ Barbara King; Debra Lee Tillman of First Service Mortgage; and Judy Turner, president of Decatur First Bank.

Primerica was the event’s title sponsor while CrossRoads News and Rolling Out served as media sponsors. Ticket sales, sponsorships, program booklet ads and silent auction bids all helped to make this fundraiser the organization’s most successful to date!

American Idol Diana DeGarmo (L) and WCLK-FM's Reggie Gay (R) present Grammy winner Regine Belle-Battle with her 2005 Youth V.I.B.E. Leading Lady award.

The event was hosted by gospel radio/tv personality Reggie Gay. Presenters included Georgia State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, Miss Georgia USA 2005 Tanisha Brito; Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce President James Maran; and American Idol Diana DeGarmo, who presented the award to Belle-Battle.

Youth V.I.B.E. is a United Way community partner. Proceeds generated from the event will be used for 2006 programming and scholarships for high school seniors entering college as business majors.

Youth V.I.B.E. 9th Annual Awards Banquet and Birthday Celebration

On August 21, 2005 Youth V.I.B.E. will pay tribute to women who are making a difference in their communities and in corporate America, in an event entitled “Leading Ladies: A Salute to Women in Business”, presented by Primerica Financial Services.

Our Honorees

“Leading Ladies” will be hosted by legendary gospel radio/tv personality Reggie Gay. Confirmed presenters include Georgia State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, Miss Georgia USA 2005 Tanisha Brito; and Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce President James Maran.

By purchasing a $50 ticket, you will receive dinner and the great feeling of knowing you are making a difference in young people's lives. A $75 VIP ticket will grant you admittance into the pre-banquet VIP reception that will feature elected officials, celebrity guests, music and a silent auction.

Or you might consider being a sponsor at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) or Bronze ($500) levels. You can also help support Youth V.I.B.E. by purchasing a commemorative booklet ad (full page: $200; half page: $150; quarter page: $125; business card ad: $100)

The choice is yours…and it's easy!
  

Day at the Capitol 2005

Georgia State Capitol Building

Youth V.I.B.E. participants gather outside of the State Capitol

State Representative Billy Mitchell led discussions with Youth V.I.B.E.

Youth V.I.B.E. participants from Avondale High School participated in the annual “Day at the Capitol” outing to the Georgia State Capitol. Supreme Fish Delight sponsored “Day at the Capitol” where students toured the Capitol and participated in various discussions on the lawmaking process. State Representative Billy Mitchell (District 61) greeted the students and gave them an overview of what takes place inside the Capitol. After the tour and discussions students were treated to lunch at the Supreme Fish Delight located in the Camp Creek Marketplace.

4th Annual Youth Empowerment Day at Avondale High School

Speakers from various sectors of the business community participated in the 4th Annual Youth Empowerment Day on Thursday, February 24 at Avondale High School in Avondale Estates, Ga.

Approximately 250 students from Avondale High’s various business classes took part in the symposium which included speakers representing such companies as Nextel, American Technologies and B2 Entertainment, developers and producers of the reality show for R&B singer Bobby Brown. In addition, a crew from Turner Broadcasting’s new show “Storyline” was present to tape an upcoming show spotlighting Youth V.I.B.E. and its students.

In addition to the symposium where students were allowed to ask questions, there were tons of giveaways and refreshments.

Some of the feedback from the event includes:

"My mom found out about Youth V.I.B.E. when she was picking up an application for my sister. I ended up going myself and I fell in love with it. I come back to events like 'Youth Empowerment Day' to let teens know that when you make the right choices, you see amazing results. Youth V.I.B.E. is the right choice!"

Vaughn Gay
21 year old senior at Georgia State University
Youth V.I.B.E. Participant 1998-2001