Mentors share experiences, knowledge with NNPS students at RISE! conference
Posted: February 10, 2025
Newport News Public Schools Youth Development Department hosted its 5th Annual RISE! Male Empowerment Conference on February 8 at Heritage High School.
Youth Development and BayPort Credit Union served as event sponsors.
Hundreds of students in grades 6-12 connected with nurturing adults throughout a day of special guest presentations, interactive workshops and activities. Emerge, empower, excel were the three tenets of the conference.
RISE! annually connects local leaders, including those from community organizations, churches, schools and the business community, with students for a day showcasing positive male role models and healthy approaches to everyday issues.
Congressman Bobby Scott made remarks as the event kicked off. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones and City Councilman John Eley, Police Chief Steve Drew and Fire Chief Wesley Rogers were among those in attendance.
Dr. Dwight Riddick II, motivational speaker and local pastor, served as keynote speaker. His message on the importance of not giving up included an acronym for RISE!: R- Relationships (be careful who you spend your time with), I - improve every day, S - Speak Life (be careful that you always speak way you want to happen) and E - Execute.
After breakfast with the many mentors on hand and a spirited opening in the auditorium, students attended two empowerment workshops of their choice, which were led by 20 presenters on various topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, positive identity, managing emotions and financial literacy.
