Justice Georgie remembers a phone call with 30 other young black entrepreneurs. It “ignited the fire I already had inside of me, because I wanted to be better.” Georgie, owner of Embrace My World Unlimited and Youth Rising Coalition photographer and storyteller, noted the significance of the connection with colleagues in Baltimore. As part of the General Assembly’s commitment to engaging in local outreach in its host city, assembly leaders chose Youth Rising Coalition for its dedication to improving the lives of young people.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the decision that the 224^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) would meet virtually, assembly-goers would not have the chance to meet the youth of Baltimore. So, on June 23, commissioners to General Assembly and interested Presbyterians were invited to join an online 35-minute event, “Youth Rising: Advancing Youth and Young Adult Entrepreneurs.” The event was designed to give participants a chance to virtually meet some young entrepreneurs trying to start businesses of their own, and to financially support efforts by the Presbytery of Baltimore and the Committee on Local Arrangements to continue strengthening those relationships even after the General Assembly adjourns.

Youth Rising Coalition is a network of young people ages 14-24 who are filled with creative ideas, energy and ambition. Karen Brown is the Coalition’s co-chair; she’s also a Presbyterian minister in Baltimore and serves as the national Self Development of People chair. She affirms that even in the midst of a pandemic, these youth have been able to encourage one another in their businesses. “They have a love for the city, a love for knowing greatness can come out of them and their colleagues,” she said.

Sheri Parks, vice president for strategic initiatives for the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), spoke at the online event and explained that this initiative is not a gift, but it is helping people learn how to support themselves, thrive and have a voice. Deshawn Richards, a coalition member, is a chef and owner of Chef Deshawn and Youth in Business who affirms the need for Black owned businesses in the city to improve blocks and neighborhoods.

Youth Rising has four priorities in supporting young entrepreneurs: Youth Empowering Youth Network (a space for youth to share ideas and problem-solve together), marketing, financial support and mentorship. Rather than tell young people what they need, the model of the coalition is to ask them about their creative process and what they would like to come from their business. “Youth Rising is the continuation of the work started with Kornerboyz Enterprises,” explained events coordinator Kai Crosby-Singleton, “which began when someone walked up to young folks operating a lean start up by cleaning car windows and asking: What would you need to take your business to the next level?”

Brown enthusiastically shared about other organizations in Baltimore already working to promote social change in efforts to improve the lives of the city’s youth including New Lens, No Boundaries Coalition, Jubilee Arts and MICA. Because of the pandemic, the large arts festival sponsored by MICA was canceled, but Youth Rising is selling members’ products through their virtual market — free of charge. Brown affirmed that God is still working among these youth, even in the midst of a pandemic — and this shift to an online festival has become an opportunity.

These youth are indeed rising, and even the city is taking notice. Mayor Jack Young declared June to be “Youth Rising Month.” Owner of The Bmore Brand, Akai Jones is using his entrepreneurship to set a new standard for his family. He finds great reward in seeing his apparel brand become successful and seeks to be a mentor for other youth wanting to find success in their own businesses.

In a time when the Baltimore Metropolitan Council has revealed a grim report indicating that the city won’t have the jobs needed to support a living wage for its residents, Youth Rising Coalition is a sign of hope. In the midst of a city that has dealt with racial injustice and the death of Freddie Gray by police in 2015 and in the midst of a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted the health and economic lives of African Americans, this General Assembly supports Youth Rising knowing that new birth and resurrection are always possible.

The offering collected during the assembly’s opening worship June 26 at 11 a.m. Eastern will go to support Youth Rising.

reporting by Sarah Colwill for the Presbyterian Outlook