What is the one thing YWDEP girls lack?

Stagefright. (At least, it seems that way.)

HELLO YWDEP WORLD!

Elliette Johnson here– I’m this year’s intern and will be responsible for keeping you connected to YWDEP.

If you attended the Corporation for Enterprise Development‘s (CFED’s) 2010 Assets Learning Conference last month and stopped by YWDEP’s table at the Innovation Marketplace and Entrepreneurship Fair,  then we have probably met already.

But chances are, all you can remember from that conference were YWDEP’s outstanding performances. YWDEP was not only featured as one of the conference’s Innovative Entrepreneurs, but was also invited to be the entertainment for the evening. The girls performed twice that evening and had OVER ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE in Salons 1 & 2 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on their feet. At the end of the final performance, Kristen “Drum Lady” Arant broke out her infamous instrument basket, full of tambourines, cow bells, and other noise-makers, and invited the audience to jam with YWDEP.

Of course, they abided!

The performance was a success and most importantly displayed to a huge audience–community practitioners, policymakers, researchers, public officials, entrepreneurs, and business people from all over the country–what YWDEP is capable of. The girls of YWDEP showed everyone that they are more than an organization–they are a MOVEMENT!

Here’s some more info on CFED and the conference:

• CFED is “a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for low-income families and communities.” ( http://cfed.org/about/ )
• The theme of CFED’s 2010 Assets Learning Conference was social entrepreneurship and asset building. The conference featured over 1,000 leaders from the public, corporate and nonprofit sectors who addressed this topic. (http://cfed.org/blog/theassetsmoment/ )
• One event at this year’s conference was The Innovation Marketplace and Entrepreneur Fair: an in-person interactive venue that showcased leaders of social innovations that expand economic opportunity for all Americans. (http://cfed.org/knowledge_center/events/alc2010/innovation_Marketplace_innovations/ )
• YWDEP was featured in (and performed at) this Innovation Marketplace and Entrepreneur Fair.

So, how does YWDEP fit into this theme of Innovative Entrepreneurship and Assets Building?

As you may or may not know, YWDEP expands economic opportunities for our girls by offering paid mentorship positions for the young ladies who complete the annual summer enrichment program. There you have it! It is possible to get paid to do something you love.

Keep it rhythmic!

Until next time,

Elliette