|
The Final Morning Session
Yesterday's concluding morning session of the 2023 National Conference started with an uplifting spoken word performance by the talented Little Sam from BBBS Central Arizona. Following this youth voice feature, keynote speaker David Isay, the founder of StoryCorps, which is a platform in NPR dedicated to preserving and uplifting the stories of everyday people, reinforced the power of storytelling to connect and inspire individuals across all communities. BBBSA President and CEO Artis Stevens also hosted a discussion with Deji LaRay, creator of Johnson on Bounce TV, where we got a sneak preview of BBBS being integrated into the main character's storyline as he becomes a Big! More to come as the show airs this fall. The session also included the presentation of several prestigious awards, including the Agency Kommerstad Awards.
Bigger Together Celebration
What an amazing celebration we had last night to wrap up the conference! Our Bigger Together Celebration was hosted by Rocsi Diaz, an Emmy Award-winning host, actor, and entrepreneur. The night featured performances by Little Sam, who performed another spoken word, and Alumni Little Reette, who was also an American Idol contestant and sang a song for us. Artis Stevens presented the Agency of the Year Awards, and we heard from April Simpkins, mother of the late Cheslie Kryst, who spoke about Jayla Saunders' incredible journey as the first recipient of the Cheslie C. Kryst Fellowship.
Afterward, we honored and celebrated the 2023 Bigs and Littles of the Year, Angi & Jenna from BBBS Northeast Indiana, and Juan Carlos & Jose Carlos from BBBS Central Arizona, who all shared their heartfelt match stories. Tan France from Express sent a video message congratulating our Bigs and Littles of the Year, and the Shoe Surgeon, in partnership with the NFL, presented them with their own custom BBBS sneakers! Finally, we ended the night with a concert by Grammy Award-winning legend, Wyclef Jean, who had us dancing the night away.
| 
