Chanice Lee, a 17-year-old bestselling author of “Young Revolutionary,” will headline a Youth Mixer & Open-Mic in Kinston this week. 

On Thursday, July 18 at the Kinston Arts Council at 6PM, Kinston Teens will be hosting the event to bring together young leaders, artists, activists and entrepreneurs from across eastern North Carolina and. The country to share their talents, meet like-minded peers, and get inspired to launch their next project.

“I’m excited that our organization is bringing together so many amazing young leaders from all across the country to convene in Kinston,” said Chris Suggs, founder of Kinston Teens. “Before we kick-off our open mic event, we’ll be hosting a networking mixer for young artists and entrepreneurs to meet each other and share ways we can better support each other. Chanice Lee, who published her best-selling book on teenage activism at age 15 will share an inspiring message that I know will empower our audience.”

Other young leaders in attendance include:

• Minister Shania Bennett (19), a teen minister, community leader, student at Penn State University and the youngest elected official in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• N’Naserri Carew-Johnson (20), an entrepreneur, global traveler, and poet from Atlanta, Georgia and current student at Stanford University.

• Jonelle Christopher (19), an activist, organizer and communications specialist from Valdosta, Georgia and current student and Black Student Union President at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Kylah Guion (20), a student organizer, musician, writer and AFSCME & Harvard University Union Scholar from Ernul, North Carolina and current student at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

• Jonathan Johnson (20), a student and entrepreneur working to make improvements in mental health, education, and business through advances in technology. At Stanford University, Jon is pursuing a major in Symbolic Systems.

• Craig Terrell Robey (20), an entrepreneur, photographer and graphic designer who owns Robey’s Photography and Excellence Brand., and serves as co-founder of Black Youth Network, Inc. Craig is a student at Florida State University. 

In addition to being guests at the Mixer & Open-Mic, these young leaders will serve as participants and panelists at Kinston Teens’ fifth annual Youth Leadership Summit to be held at Rochelle Middle School on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

On Saturday, July 20 at Rochelle Middle School in Kinston, Kinston Teens will be coordinating its annual Youth Leadership to spark dialogue on youth issues in our community, design community service projects, and develop leadership skills necessary to become productive citizens – locally and globally!

This free, one-day summit will focus on developing students into 21st century leaders who will know that they have the ability to change the world! Attendees will enhance their skills through a series of workshops, group projects, empowerment messages from keynote speakers, leadership development exercises, and panel discussions.

“This is the fifth year the organization has hosted this summit, and it is one of our largest and most impactful events every year,” said Chris Suggs, founder & CEO of Kinston Teens. “Our organization recognizes how social issues, crime, health disparities, drugs and other problems disproportionately affect young people, and at this summit we hope to empower youth to find solutions to make a positive difference.”

Youth ages 12 to 22 years old are welcome to participate at this event, and can register at www.kinstonteens.org/youthsummit.