FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
Hello everyone,
It is with pleasure and heart felt sincerity that I write this greeting. I am amazed at the
accomplishment that has come to fruition. Last year on October 23, we unveiled the poster for the
STEP UP Program at the our annual fundraiser, the WOW Event. I declared that we were going to
launch a youth entrepreneur program. The declaration was made in front of at least 100 people. I
don’t know if they were just spectators or if they truly took me seriously, but I do know that once
it came out of my mouth it happened. There was no turning back; I could not retract my words.
Therefore, the only things we could do was roll up our sleeves and get busy.
Well, that busyness paid off along with much prayer, perseverance, crying, and a lot of
recruiting for our participants. On Monday, June 18 we launched the STEP UP Program with 24
youth from ages 13 to 18 from all over Downriver and other surrounding cities. That day was
awesome, and it is the day that I will remember for many days, weeks, months, and years to come.
We did it! We launched the program with only one grant from Foresters Financial and in-kind
donations from local restaurants that made commitments to provide food. We also had
individuals who gave donations who sponsored our participants, whose parents could not afford
to pay the registration fee.
It was well attended by our participants, parents, well-wishers, our instructors and the mayor of
Southgate, the Honorable Joseph Kuspa, who gave our participants words of encouragement. We
even had cuisine from our very own board member, Apostle Connie Foster; the food was delicious!
It was an exciting day for everyone. We all left with a feeling of exhilaration and hopefulness. We
all realized that God was truly with us and we had to now make sure that we were going to deliver
what we promised to those youth who registered for this life changing program. Twenty-four
registered future entrepreneurs. By no means was this an easy task recruiting them. We had well
over fifty who initially showed an interest but as the launch date approached many decided that
they could not keep the commitment. But I honestly believe that the ones that we have are the
ones that are supposed to be there. Many of them not really sure what business they want to start,
but all of them are sure they want to begin by learning all that is available to learn through this
program.
This issue is a special commemorative issue. We want to forever remember the launching of our
pilot program and our first group of participants who made it all possible. We have a lot of
memories who want to store in our hearts of each special moment we spent with these wonder
young people. They came in with bright ideas and many hopes. They are hungry to start their
businesses, even those who are not quite sure are eager to be challenged to dream of doing
something bigger than themselves. Go on this journey as you turn the pages of this special edition
of Discovering You Magazine. Meet our future business owners, understand their challenges, and
experience what gives them that drive to excel. You should consider yourselves blessed to have
this special edition to come to you. The pictures should inspire you to know that there is hope
within our future generation. Future entrepreneurs before they even reach adulthood and
realizing that the STEP UP Program was the catalyst to help them dream to live and live their
dream. Get excited about what is happening and see how you can be involved as you…. Discover
Your Own Uniqueness!
Sincerely,
Tunishai Ford
Editor and Chief