TOWSON, Md. - Marylandian -- St. Stephens A.M.E. Church in Essex hosted the inaugural Parent & Youth Transition Conference. Spearheaded by leading poverty advocate Dr. Tekemia Dorsey, the event brought together over 200 community members to explore poverty's deep, complex roots and provide tailored solutions and resources for Breaking Poverty Cycles.

The conference featured empowering discussions, lectures, and workshops led by Dr. Dorsey and diverse speakers. Attendees were inspired by rising youth voices like 15-year-old Beloved Joshua Simons and 17-year-old Halee Simons, who proved that age is no barrier to enacting change.

A key focus of the event was fostering economic empowerment. Several local small business owners, including 10-year-old lemonade entrepreneur Arielle Green, participated as vendors to showcase their entrepreneurial journeys and products. Arielle's lemon zest business and Halee Simon's headshot photography venture exemplify how cultivating skills and independence at a young age can help break intergenerational cycles of poverty.

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In addition to championing financial literacy, the conference stressed the importance of civic participation in bettering one's community. Kim Ross and Mr. Green organized a voter registration drive to encourage civic duty.

The Parent & Youth Transition Conference signified a significant milestone in Dr. Dorsey's mission to eradicate poverty in Baltimore and beyond. Governor Wes Moore expressed his support, commending the collaborative efforts to uplift communities and build a brighter future for Maryland.

Governor Moore expressed, "Leaving no one behind requires a whole community approach and relies on the public, private, and nonprofit sectors working together. The resources and training opportunities offered today will help provide insight, open the door for collaboration, and allow us to work more closely together to help our communities thrive."
Following the success of the inaugural gathering, Dr. Dorsey will embark on an expansive Blueprint Development & Poverty Townhall Tour across Maryland in partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). The touring workshops and lectures will provide communities with tailored strategies and training opportunities to combat poverty through education, entrepreneurship, and civic involvement.

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Through collective action, tailored solutions, and a commitment to empowering individuals of all ages, this movement is poised to break the cycles of poverty that have held communities back for far too long.

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About Dr. Tekemia Dorsey

A renowned expert on breaking cycles of poverty, Dr. Tekemia Dorsey is the founder and driving force behind the Breaking The Cycle of Poverty movement. Through her books, speaking engagements, and trailblazing initiatives like the Blueprint Tour, she propels sustainable solutions and equips communities for transformative change.