The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
The first weekend in October 2021 represented positivity, growth, and success for the 3rd annual KIDZ BIZZ Konference Tulsa: Coming Home with A Purpose.
Tulsa parents registered 24 participants for the 2-day event, which is an empowerment conference for children with the primary purpose of teaching, mentoring and sponsoring youth regarding the principles of entrepreneurship, STEM/STEAM workshops, education for financial literacy and planning, insurance education, health and wellness, Black Wall Street History, emotional agility, enhancing literacy and communication skills and ensuring them that they are capable of being leaders and business owners right now.
KIDZ BIZZ Konference (KBK) has participated in service with the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association’s Homecoming weekend of scheduled activities since 2018, giving Alumni an opportunity to add purpose to tradition by giving back in service to the community when they return to Booker T. Washington High School to celebrate among classmates and teachers.
KIDZ BIZZ Konference was founded in 2016 by three women in the state of Arizona, two of whom are native Tulsans and proud graduates of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Corneta Kelley Mensah (c/o ’83) and Sundi Kelley Williams (c/o ’89). KBK Tulsa created a partnership with the Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge (BWSLL), the location of the conference every year. BWSLL Co- owners Guy Troupe, a Booker T. Graduate (c/0 ’84) and his wife, Yvette Troupe along with Dwight Eaton provide ongoing support, mentorship and guidance at the ground level, encouraging children to master their craft and polish their brand. Several other Booker T. Washington Alumni have contributed yearly with their expertise as well. Fred Jones (c/o ’82) and his wife Shiphaney Jones, owners of One Tulsa and the 1921 The Black Wall Street Music Project, provided Black Wall Street History and the history of Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington High School. Lois Kelley (c/o ’56) and Oza McClain have participated yearly with check-in, organization and supervision. Charles Christopher (c/o ’83) and Craig Yeldell (c/o ’85), are among other Booker T. Washington Alumni that have participated consistently, contributing their Media and IT skills. This year, new to staff was Kode Ransom, a song writer, music artist and creator of the Black Wallstreet Scavenger Hunt version of an ActionBound App activity.
Each year, in addition to various STEM / STEAM workshops and personal growth seminars on the KIDZ BIZZ Konference agenda, participants have engaged in organized, competitions/challenges such as KBK’s Elevator Pitch Competition, Sowing Seeds of Success Business Plan Competition and this year’s Marketing and Social Media Challenge.
This year one of four teams claimed victory by being the best at incorporating social media for generating marketing solutions to enhance consumer traffic for existing businesses. ‘Team Purple’, led by Autumn Penny, and teammates Jayla Moss, Jason Williams and Jacari Watson, met all criteria successfully and earned 157 out of 160 possible points to win the challenge and earn cash awards. This year’s featured kidpreneurs were ‘Boston Boutique’ (Boston Hardeman) and ‘JBlades Media’ (Julian Blades). Boston will be a vendor at the Greenwood Gallery’s Sunday Marketplace as well as sell merchandise from BWSLL. Julian (a past KBK participant) has launched his own business and was hired by KBK to serve as the official videographer/photographer for this year’s event. KIDZ BIZZ Konference extends a special thank you to KBK supporters (Phil Armstrong of Greenwood Rising Museum, J. Money Enterprize, LLC., Angela Myrick of Frios Gourmet Pops, Angela Robinson of BWS General Store, BWS T-shirt and Souvenirs and Sequena ‘Queen’ Alexander of The Greenwood Gallery), to all attendees and to all parents who allowed their children to participate and make this year’s event a success once again.
Planning is already underway for next year’s event during Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington 2022 Homecoming weekend. KIDZ BIZZ Konference Tulsa has grown every year and the same positive outcome is expected going forward. KBK will be scouting to expand its sponsorships and endorsements in order to continue on its progressive course. If any individual, company, agency, or corporation is interested in sponsorship, please contact KBK staff to discuss opportunities at kidzbizzkonference@gmail.com
