Inspiring Minds Summer Market gives students an opportunity to show gained skills
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WARREN -- Students who participated in the Inspiring Minds six-week summer enrichment program had the opportunity Tuesday to demonstrate their ability to market their food, goods, event-planning or marketing services to customers at the fifth annual Summer Market.
Community members browsed and supported their small businesses at the Inspiring Minds headquarters on Woodland Street.
The Inspiring Minds program, which integrates career and college readiness, personal development, and health and wellness, gave participants in grades 3 through 12 experience in practicing entrepreneurial skills. Items for sale included food, beverages, sno-cones, ice cream, desserts, clothing, hats, tote bags, key chains, essential oils, shea butter, jewelry and fresh flowers,
Food included hot dogs, tacos, chicken bowls, soul food rolls, pepperoni rolls, chicken wings, freshly cut fruit, ice cream, fried Oreos and funnel cakes.
Phabian Washington, an eighth grader from McGuffey PK-8 School, has been in the program since third grade and was part of the Fry Oreos team.
"We didn't have fried Oreos last year. But they decided to bring them back again. It doesn't take that long, and they are really good," Washington said.
He said he has learned a lot and made good friends in the Inspiring Minds program, but does not plan to be an entrepreneur. He said that a group of Inspiring Minds students took a trip to Baltimore this summer, where he had the opportunity to visit the University of Maryland.
"I would like to be an aeronautical engineer," Washington said.
Cardeair Foster, 17, of Warren, is a student at Warren G. Harding High School and has been in the Inspiring Minds program for six years. Last year, Foster offered an event planning service at the Summer Market. On Tuesday, he held up a black T-shirt with the words "Know Your Worth" written in gold.
His group's business is called "Royal Affirmations" and has the motto "Dress like you know your worth." They offered both T-shirts and hoodies in a variety of colors.
"People who wear these are people who like to talk themselves up," Foster said.
Students with the Shea Shop offered 4 oz. containers of shea butter in two scents -- baby powder and vanilla. Hayz'l Dixon, 10, of Warren, is a student at Willard PK-8 School and said last year they offered something like shea butter and wanted to "offer something again that is good for your skin."
D'Airra Williams, 10, and Jeramy Stokes, 10, both of McGuffey PK-8 School, offered colorful flowers in vases for $10. The name of their shop was Honey Bloom. Williams said she chose this product to sell because she gardens with her mother and likes flowers.
Jefferson PK-8 School students Aleena Henderson, 10, and Jordan Albert, 10, provided a variety of handmade bead bracelets. The words "Spiderman" and "Player" were spelled out on two of the bracelets, while others had smiley faces and other colorful beads.
Inspiring Minds Program Director Jalaya Provitt said students take home any profits they earn at the market.
The Youngstown chapter of Inspiring Minds is hosting its third annual Summer Market noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at its headquarters at 2110 South Ave. in Youngstown.