Martin Mathews, College Fair welcome address presenter Ken Nelson and 2007 Scholarship Winner Jonathan Roper.

The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club hosted a college fair and invited businessmen to reach out as mentors for young men, ages 12-18, during the eighth annual “Maleness to Manhood Workshop Series” on Father’s Day Weekend.   About 300 youth attended a college fair of more than 20 local and national universities on June 15, at the Club.  More than 150 youth and businessmen mentors gathered for the Career Day on June 16, at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. 

“To see the many negative influences in the world pulling against our young men is troubling, but we know there is hope as long as there are dedicated, concerned businessmen to intervene in their lives,” said Mathews-Dickey VP, PR & Special Events Barbara A. Washington.  “The Maleness to Manhood program is part of our efforts to ‘Save the Children’ — with a positive alternative focusing on college, career, cultural and moral development.”

Nelson Enterprises, LLC Owner/Operator Ken Nelson provided the welcome at the college fair, which included a financial aid presentation by Ramon Blakely, Saint Louis University association director of admissions; a college life session by Vince Caesar, Washington University assistant director of admissions; and “Know the Law” by Sarah Jane Forman, Attorney, Sindel, Sindel & Noble, PC. 

The June 16 Career Day began with breakouts sessions on Moral Development by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers Michael Shaw and Ryan Linhorst and Alton Area Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Rev. Michael Cross.  The Hilton’s Phillip Blandon and Bruce Winter also led “Welcome to the Hospitality Industry.” 

Preceding Missouri Broadcasters Association President Donald Hicks’ keynote address was a career panel discussion, moderated by ESPN Radio Broadcaster Randy Karraker.  The panel featured  “Communication: A Mass Appeal” by Larry Starks, sports editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; “Money Talk: A Career Spreadsheet” by Jack Raymond, assistant vice president, Merrill Lynch; “21st Century Technology” by Jermaine Holt, senior developer, Sigma-Aldrich Corp.; and “The Special Agent: Careers in Law Enforcement” by Roland Corvington, special agent in charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations.  A presentation on business fashions by Macy’s was provided to the young men by Joel King, owner, JPEK Creative Works.

• Carpenter’s District Council of St. Louis Ollie Langhorst Memorial — Presented by Nelson Enterprises McDonald’s Owner/Operator Ken Nelson to Jaymz Saunders, a graduating senior from Parkway Fernridge High School and aspiring computer specialist.
  
• Grice Group Architects — Presented by Karl Grice, principal, Grice Group Architects, to Jonathan Roper, a graduating senior from CBC High School and aspiring engineer.
  
• Missouri Broadcasters Association — Presented by Hicks to Zachary Clark, a graduating senior from Hazelwood East High School and aspiring broadcaster.
  
• Robert Hensley, Jr. Memorial — Presented by Robert Hensley III, division manager, Zolatone Automotive, Industrial & Marine, to Therance Jerrod, a graduating senior from Clayton High School and aspiring computer engineer.
  
• Suburban Journals — Presented by Mathews to Ronald Barrington Packnett, Jr., a graduate of John Burroughs School and aspiring International Businessman.
  
• The Catherine Manley Gaylord Foundation — This scholarship is presented Darnell Pratt, who was unable to attend due to an out-of-town commitment.
  

Each young man was encouraged to talk about his aspirations, while the mentor shares the benefit of his work and life experience.  A ceremonial exchange of business cards occurred, with future activities voluntary.

The afternoon of June 16 was followed by cultural field trips, including an excursion to the St. Louis Art Museum, pizza party and movie.   The closing church services with Board Chairman Rev. William Gillespie occurred at Cote Brilliant Presbyterian Church, on June 17.

The “Maleness to Manhood Workshop Series” is an outgrowth of the Club’s “A Few Good Men Leadership” project and the counterpart to the nationally recognized, “The Sky is the Limit” career-readiness program for young women. The event was launched in 2000 with Ebony Magazine Art Director Raymond Thomas serving as the first keynote speaker and designing the commemorative logo.

Mathews-Dickey is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 United Way member agency, which provides educational, recreational and cultural programs for more than 40,000 young men and women annually. For more information, call Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 228, or Barbara A. Washington, at (314) 382-5952, ext. 234.

Save the Date in 2008

The 2008 Father’s Day Weekend program starts off with the College Fair, attended by more than 300 young men and women, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, June 13, at Mathews-Dickey, 4245 N. Kingshighway Blvd.

The same students attend the Career Day, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 14, at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, One Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102.  There will be an informative panel discussion and the students will be paired one-on-one with a male business professional as his career-building partner for the afternoon.  Students are asked to wear business attire (coat and tie).  

Rev. William G. Gillespie, Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church pastor and Mathews-Dickey board chairman, invites the young men and their entire families to be his special guests for 9:30 a.m. church services that Sunday at the congregation, 4673 Labadie.