Overtown Children and Youth Coalition (OCYC) hosted its 5th Annual I’m The Boss of My Life Youth Conference (ITBOML) on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at FIU Kovens Conference Center in North Miami, Florida. The free day-long event provided two-panel discussions and seven breakout sessions for 250 high-school and college-age youth from Homestead to Miami Gardens.

The youth heard inspirational stories from their peers who gained success through their endeavors during the From the Mouth of Your Peers panel discussion hosted by Sherri-Ann Flander-Duncan. Ericka J. shared her journey from selling candy in middle school to now having her own hairline company, and Maya Evans connected the importance of mental and muscle fitness. The youth learned about Effective Communications, Building Healthy Relationships, Traits of a Boss, and more from knowledgeable speakers who are leaders in their fields, including Attorney Lotoya Brown, Esq., Jerome Hutchison of ICABA, Rashad D. Thomas of AT&T, and Chip Turrisi of Royal Caribbean Group.

Throughout the day, the youth interacted with vendors, such as the Florida Department of Health Youth Committee, Road to Zero, and Together for Children. Darius Daughtry recited a powerful spoken word piece, and local artists from My Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE) curated an interactive community painting project. Florida State Representative Felicia Robinson shared some encouraging words to motivate our youth to be bosses. And Principal Simmonds of CARE Elementary electrified the room with his keynote address and his motivational version of Meek Mills’ song “Ima Boss.” DJ Belle set the right tone with upbeat tunes.

OCYC raffled 4 Acer laptops to continue its goal of bridging the Digital Divide, along with 12 Sprayground backpacks provided by founders David Ben David and Michel Ben David. The students left after encouraging closing remarks from OCYC’s Executive Director, Anthony L. Robinson.

Event Photo Gallery