The Detroit Youth Festival is an annual event that celebrates and uplifts the youth of Detroit. It is produced by the Celebrate Detroit Youth Initiative.
Celebrate Detroit Youth & The Detroit Youth Festival was started by Stephanie Penn & Vernesia Lawson. We grew up on the Northwest side of Detroit, Michigan and at one point both of us were students in the Detroit Public School system. Both of us met while we were students at Michigan State University and we’ve been friends ever since. Vernesia went on to teach in the Canton-Plymouth school district of Michigan and Stephanie works in online media but both ladies have a deep rooted love and appreciation for their humble upbringings in Detroit.
“Growing up my parents kept me busy with after school programs, summer camps, cheering, etc. You name, my brothers and I were involved in it. In recent years, many of the recreation centers that I frequented as a child have closed leading people to believe that they don’t have options but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. The Detroit Youth Festival is not only a fun event for kids and their parents but it also serves as a resource fair. We invite local non-profits, organizations and initiatives to be a vendor at our event. The only requirement is that they cater exclusively to children, ” says Stphanie Penn, Co-Founder.
Mission:
The goal of the Detroit Youth Festival is to engage kids and their parents in relevant conversation, excite them with live performances and activities while introducing them to resources available in their communities as they get ready for the upcoming school year.
During the event kids will enjoy the following:
- Carnival Games
- Food
- Interacting with local leaders
- Live Entertainment
- Reading Circles
- Face Painting
- Arts & Crafts
- Giveaways
The Detroit Youth Festival committee invites community activists and entertainers who are excited about our youth to be a part of the event. Interested in speaking or entertaining? Contact Stephanie Penn via e-mail detroityouthfest@gmail.com or phone (313) 492-1991.To learn more about the Detroit Youth Fest visit www.DetroitYouthFest.com; like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
