Roads to Success

On July 26, 2024, the heart of East Harlem pulsed with energy as Roads to Success(RTS)hosted its transformative 8th Annual Success Summit. This extraordinary event brought together 800 young minds from New York City's underserved communities, offering them a day filled with inspiration, opportunity, and the tools to shape their futures.

From the moment Manuel Castro, Commissioner for the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, took the stage for his opening address, the air crackled with possibility.

"Life's not easy," he acknowledged, "but with strong determination and will, you can totally get onto the roads to success."

His words set the tone for a day that would challenge, inspire, and empower.

Throughout the summit, attendees were immersed in a world of potential. They engaged with industry leaders in panel discussions spanning technology, community impact, law and governance, media, finance, and youth development. Each conversation opened new doors, showcasing paths these young minds might never have considered before.

Hands-on workshops brought theory to life, allowing participants to explore entrepreneurship, culinary arts, stress management, and more. The enthusiasm was palpable as youth discovered new passions and honed practical skills that could shape their futures.

Diana C.Richardson-Myrie, Director of Statewide Engagement for the Office of New York State Comptroller, closed the day with a powerful message:

"Love yourself. Be kind to yourself - and let that love be the guiding light to a brighter future for yourself."

Her words resonated deeply, reminding each participant of their inherent worth and potential.

Reflecting on the day's impact, Sheila Duke, CEO of Roads to Success, shared,

"Today, we've witnessed the incredible potential of our youth. By connecting them with successful professionals and providing practical skills, we're not just opening doors - we're empowering them to build their own pathways to success. This summit is a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in our young people."

The success of the 8th RTS Success Summit was a testament to the power of community. We extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated panelists, workshop leaders, and representatives from educational institutions who generously shared their time and wisdom. Their commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders is truly inspiring.

Most importantly, we celebrate the 800 young participants whose energy, curiosity, and determination made this day truly special. Your enthusiasm is a beacon of hope for the future of New York City.

As the echoes of inspiration from this summit continue to resonate, we're already envisioning an even brighter future. The 8th RTS Success Summit wasn't just an event - it was a catalyst for change, a bridge between dreams and reality for NYC's underserved youth.

Together, we're building more than just success stories - we're crafting a legacy of empowerment, opportunity, and hope for generations to come.

Diverse Panels, Endless Inspiration!

Throughout the day, attendees engaged with a series of panel discussions featuring leaders from various industries:

1. Technology & Innovation Panel

· Valerie Lemieux -Director of Enterprise Integration, CVS Health

· Kelsey Kraft - Sr. Manager Health Care Delivery Growth, CVS

· Mikie Sakanaka- Manager Marketing Analytics, IBM

· Brandon Henriquez -Founder/Business Development, Video Game Amateurs

2. Community & Social Impact Panel

· Nikeea Thomas - President, Excellence in Health

· Janet & Al Cohen - Executive Director, Program Director, T.A.G. (TCIONY)

· Emerald Snipes-Garner - Executive Director, We Can't Breathe Inc.

· Henry Jorden - Program Manager, The Bronx is Blooming

· Catalina Calle Duran - Manager, Strategic Learning, New York Women's Foundation

3. Law, Governance & Public Service Panel

· Luis Ayala - Associate, Law

· Timsha Bailey - Legal Response & Enforcement, Etsy

· Shekera Algarin – Lawyer

· Linda Gutierrez - Pathways to Government Jobs, Department of Justice

· Lori Melichar - Senior Director, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

· Christle Lendore - Community Outreach Specialist, FBI

4. Media & Public Relations Panel

· Leslie Mayes-Low - News Anchor, Media Maven

· Natasha Reid - Chief Creative Officer, Delirium Faate TV

· Raven Robinson - Public Relations, PR 2 Politics

· Keyla Marte - Owner, Keyla Consulting

· Daniel Garibay - Sales Manager/Talent Solution, LinkedIn

5. Finance & Business Leadership Panel

· Kimberly Thomas - Global Customer Support Training Specialist, Bloomberg LP

· Larissa Longchamp - VP, Community Relations, CITI

· David Vassel - Founder, Marketing and Public Relations

· Patricia Bivens - Owner, Carriage Suite, LLC

· Danielle Sullivan - CEO/Founder of Sullivan Financial Solutions

6. Youth Development, Education & Sports Panel

· Haaron Hargrave - Sport and Recreation, BreakAway Hoops

· David Perez - Executive Director, Harlem Center for Education

· Miriam Campos - School Coach/Special Education Teacher, NYCDOE

Interactive Workshops

In addition to the panels, attendees participated in a variety of hands-on workshops, including:

· Entrepreneurship Mindset - OneSeed Solutions

· Cooking Class – Brunch At Zions

· Art Therapy - Mixteca Organization

· Stress Release Quilts - Mixteca Organization

· Podcasting - Jamila Rose

· Aromatherapy/mindfulness - Dr. Lakeia Murray

· Women in Math - Valerie Lemieux, Sponsored by Consumer Value Stores (CVS)

· Federal Internships and Jobs Application - United States Department of Agriculture

· Debate - Spencer, Sponsored by Eloquence

· Violence Intervention Program Hip Hop - Audry Funk, Sponsored by Mixteca

· Martial Arts - Jairo Martinez

Educational and Career Opportunities

The summit also featured representatives from various educational institutions and organizations, including City Tech, City College of NY, New York University, Boricua College, United States Army and Marine Corps, Institute of Culinary Education, and CVS Pharmacy School.