Teens With a Purpose Turns 20

Teens With a Purpose (TWP) has reason to celebrate.  This Creative Youth Development Organization’s existence now spans two decades! To celebrate the journey Teens With a Purpose invites you to attend its 9th annual fundraiser gala with the theme:  Sankofa ( feet firmly planted moving forward, reaching back so no one is left behind.)

Teens With a Purpose began this Sankofa Journey as a youth led HIV/AIDS ministry in 1996, giving young people the opportunity to spread the education and prevention message to their peers. In 2007 TWP became a community based organization still committed to HIV/AIDS education and prevention with an expanded mission to use peer led programs, events and the arts as a gateway to critical conversations and actions that help improve the health and well-being of young people, transform lives and impact communities.

The keynote speaker for the TWP 2016 Gala is Kevin Judd. Mr. Judd Esq. is President of the  National Bar Association, the oldest and largest national voluntary legal  association with a network of over 66,000 predominantly black lawyers, judges, educators and law students.  Mary Bowman, and award winning advocate for people living with AIDS who uses her gift of poetry and song to spread messages of hope, awareness and education, will be another esteemed guest speaker. Presenting the Move Maker Awards and Scholarship are: Honorable, Mayor William Sessoms, City of Virginia Beach; Mamie Johnson, Norfolk City Council Member, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Councilwoman-City of Virginia  Beach; Michael Berlucchi, President Hampton Roads Pride; Rodney Jordan, Norfolk Public School Board Chairman; Emily Spruill Labows, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs Virginia Beach; Ms. Andrea Bradley, Assistant Vice President of Underwriting GEICO and several other Hampton Roads Leaders from various sector.

Guests will enjoy gourmet food during the cocktail style dinner reception.  This year’s gala includes a post event concert that features musical, dance and poetic performances by some of Hampton Roads finest youth and adult artist. A special commemorative magazine will be presented to each guest. The commemorative magazine cover features original art created by Clayton Singleton to commemorate TWP’s 20th Anniversary.  The Magazine highlights TWP’s 20 year Sankofa Journey including youth stories, accomplishments, photos, service advertisements, local businesses, organizations, and individuals that support Teens With a Purpose and much more.

Committed to moving forward and leaving no one behind, TWP’s Move Maker award and scholarship program, presented during the gala, recognizes the unfolding potential, perseverance and tenacity of young people.  The 2016 Move Maker Award is for youth (12 -18) from Hampton Roads whom have made significant strides over the past year while overcoming surmountable obstacles. Many of the young people nominated for this award have never been celebrated before, this may be their first time dressing up and attending a lavish event where they are the true VIPs. The top Move Makers will also receive the Adam Haylock Scholarship.  The monetary award will help advance their aspirations.