Event urges young adults to aspire
Brothers Fawad and Hamad Khalid traveled from Monticello Saturday morning to participate in the “Inclusion Supha Rice For Life Youth Empowerment luncheon Summit” held at the Islamic Center at 3707 W. Hepburn St.
They both were attracted to the idea of youth empowerment and how it could impact and enrich their lives.
“We wanted to know what it means,” Hamad Khalid said.
Ten young people attended the day’s event, but often Supha Xayprasith-Mays, the Inclusion Magazine & Inclusion Job Inc. founder, said she is speaking alongside political and business power brokers to many hundreds.
Covid-19 happened and they had to reduce the size of their gatherings, but Xayprasith-Mays was no less enthusiastic in the message she was attempting to deliver to the handful of young people who showed up.
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington also spoke Saturday, offering a message of achieving personal goals.
“Young people have so many opportunities. Think big,” Washington said.
BE YOUR BEST
Inclusion focuses on a way of presenting oneself to the world, through dress, but it’s also about expecting more of oneself and achieving one’s goals, Xayprasith-Mays said before the event started.
The mission of her group is to provide positive education, training, work opportunities and exposure to role models who may inspire and help the next generation realize their fullest potential.
“A lot of kids need to be inspired, no matter their disadvantage or circumstance. This is a place for kids to start,” Xayprasith-Mays said.
There are ways to reach one’s goals such as adopting a positive attitude, realizing the importance
of good health, and even dressing for success, she said.
“We even teach the boys how to tie a tie,” she said.
Eric Hall of Pine Bluff said, “I’m interested in their message.”
But the organization also helps the younger generation learn how to find college resources and the importance of voting.
The event even included a home-cooked lunch. Xayprasith-Mays prepared her family’s Thai vegetable egg fried rice recipe.
Xayprasith-Mays’ mission is personal. She said she came to this country as an Asian immigrant and worked her way up the Walmart corporate ladder until she was a regional personnel assistant. She oversaw store operations, personnel development, fair treatment in several states.
“I want them to know that we all have value,” she said. “We can’t discriminate, but need to encourage them to achieve success.”