Coca-Cola reaches out to Black youth to boost the spirit of Black history month. The Atlanta based company is offering apprenticeships with the President of Essence magazine Michelle EBanks, fashion designer Tracy Reese, Grammy Winner Ne-Yo with their ‘Coca-Cola Pays it Forward’ campaign. 
The ‘Coca-Cola Pay It Forward’ charges each of us with the responsibility to advance the next generation,” said Kimberly Paige, assistant vice president, African American Marketing Group, Coca-Cola North America. Parents are encouraged to nominate their 16-19 students for this outstanding opportunity. Paige encourages adults to contribute to “Coca-Cola Pay it Forward” by helping young persons with their homework; exposing them to positive career opportunities; and to participate in online contests.
The four “mom approved” and “teen endorsed” apprenticeships focuses on the featured areas: fashion (Reese), business (Ebanks) and music/philanthropy (Ne-Yo). The lucky winners will spend 2012 summer in New York or Atlanta shadowing their celebrity team.
The contest runs through March 15. “Coca-Cola Pay It Forward” is designed to inspire African Americans to take an active role in empowering today’s youth to become tomorrow’s history makers. Parents can go to (www.mycokerewards.com/payitforward) to enter their teen spend time with Black history makers.
