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FACT ALERT! According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Toward a Blueprint For Youth Study Some Key Elements of positive youth development are: Providing youth with safe and supportive environments Providing youth with opportunities to pursue their interests and focus on their strengths. Supporting the development of youth's knowledge and skills in a variety of ways, including study, tutoring, sports, the arts, vocational education, and service-learning. Engaging youth as active partners and leaders who can help move communities forward. Promoting healthy lifestyles and teaching positive patterns of social interaction
4T's programs and services effectively address the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Key Elements of positive youth development by forming networks of alliances with young professionals respected in their field of expertise, school faculty, community organizations and businesses all dedicated to the professional development of youth and young adults. Through the success of our programs and services, we expect to increase students graduation rates by 40% in addition to youth's employment rate by 60%.
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HISTORY
4t's Productions begin in October 1992 by Kayode Bentley with a group of inner-city youth from his community in the Bronx NY who came together with the desire to produce a different kind of fashion show. This show would display the professionalism of inner-city youth. It would be organized, produced and directed by youth designed to showcase youth in professional attire, designer suits fit for the corporate work place. Classy attire that revealed the intellectual side of young people in all environments such as formal, semi-formal, casual, semi-casual, and sporty. Since 4T’s conception, the lives of youth involved have been planted with the spirit of possibility, changed for the better from the impact of their involvement with 4T’s programs, fundraisers and services that motivate them to achieve because they experienced in person the tangible possibility of career success by having a say about their future and what they want to become. Since 4T’s creation, the youth involved have proceeded to lead successful careers in Government, Educational Institutions and Corporations. The presentations by 4T’s staff at schools, events and juvenile facilities confirmed the need inner-city youth have for positive influence and career information from other youth (their peers) who have already started on this road and have achieved success. Over the years we have grown as an organization dedicated to developing effective programs that help youth attain success in developing foundational skills and workplace competencies, improving the match between what schools teach and what disadvantage youth need. We intend to continue our efforts in providing youth with the necessary skills and information they need thereby providing them with the possibility of a better life by empowering them to create opportunities in order to achieve success.
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MANAGEMENT
KAYODE BENTLEY, PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Kayode has been involved in inner-city education programs, fashion events and talent showcases all of his life thus the creation of 4t's Productions over 10 years ago derived from his sacrifice, commitment, industrious nature and vision to transform the many lives of today’s disconnected youth and young adults. With the depth of his knowledge which covers spectrums of both education and entertainment, he effectively utilizes his experience through 4T’s to structure both educational programs and entertaining events designed to encourage, enlighten, inspire and motivate youth to succeed. With over 15 years of Corporate and Managerial experience, Kayode is a self-motivated, result driven professional with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. During is time in Alfred State College he served on the Student Senate and as President of the Black Student Union, at which time he successfully produced the colleges for successful fashion show. He also won first place in the colleges annual talent competition. During his 6-year tenure at Footlocker (formally Woolworth Corporation corporate office), Kayode was promoted from console room operator to MIS Departments Supervisor. In this position he controlled the production of A/S 400 mainframes through CA-Dispatch/MVS systems for report distribution to and from Executives, created staff evaluation procedure for the purpose of developing a structural system that resulted in punctual report distribution to Executives. During his 7-year tenure at Bloomberg LP, he was promoted from Installation Coordinator to Tech Support Specialist and currently the Senior Software Release Manager/Implementation Specialist. His responsibilities include managing all aspects of software release projects, coordinating the testing, migration and implementation of software to over the 180,000 Bloomberg customers. During his tenure at Woolworth and Bloomberg LP he effectively invested his time starting and establishing a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to helping students and inner-city youth develop their personal skill sets in preparation for careers in the workforce. His experience in this area of entrepreneurship includes:Business Management where he created programs and services purpose, goals and expected results and Business Plan for the organization as well as acquired copyrights, EIN’s and 501(c )(3), office space and bank account for the company. He developed the organizations code of ethics, conducted meetings with Executives of organizations, businesses and Government staff. His experience as a Director of Development includes the creation of the organizations business card designs, production of a Bronx Community Youth forum in the South Bronx, a Riverbank State Park Pilot Knowledge Forum, Gospel rap concert for Christian Youth, presentations at school events, youth sessions and business functions. He also successfully co-Sponsors Non-profit organization fashion shows for youth and formed alliances with Non-profit organizations dedicated to positive youth development. As a creative Director and marketing specialist he created the organizations name, concept, logo, brochures, programs/services and website design, in addition to the development of the organization’s vision, mission and objectives. His financial analysis experience includes the creation of the organizations 5 year financial projections and cash flow projections. As for his business administration expertise he has designed management and staff job descriptions, rules, guidelines, policies, new staff orientation structure, created organizations By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation and Association, interview forms, questionnaire, evaluations, governing Board and staff manuals, hiring, interviewing and management procedures, meeting agenda’s and progress reports, is responsible for hiring staff (Board of Directors, Advisors, Executive Directors and General Staff in addition to training staff.
In addition to his committment to 4T's Productions, he's also in the planning phase of developing the blueprint of his 2nd company venture KBal Enterprises LLC, a Business Analysis company dedicated entirely to youth's professional development.
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SETH THOMAS, SR. VICE PRESIDENT OF SERVICES
Having a heart to inspire and encourage youth since the age of thirteen, Seth has personally worked with, trained and motivated thousands of youth who today are successful entrepreneurs and executives striving to the top of their field.
Hired as assistant Camp counselor and promoted to head counselor at Strait Gate Church of White Plains N.Y., Seth was the youngest to ever fill the position and was responsible for creating exciting and educational activities for over 200 youth ages 4-12. He was also very instrumental when volunteering his time at Manhattan Christian Academy as a mentor for young minority males. Shortly after his tenure at Manhattan Christian Academy, he was highly recommended by his teachers and hired by 'Kids With A Promise' located in Chappaqua N.Y. as an after school assistant teacher, providing SAT and Regents prep courses along with the added responsibility of monitoring student recreation sessions. Due to his success at 'Kids With A Promise' he caught the attention of Dr. Ernest Cameron who offered him the position of Youth Director in Harlem Tabernacle Church. Here he served faithfully for several years, providing drug and alcohol, suicide prevention, rehabilitation counseling, unity concerts, liturgical teachings along with a host of other tools that strengthen youth development. His success in this position brought him to the attention of Kayode Bentley, who personally recruited him for 4t’s Productions Sr. VP of Services position, where with his history of success is entrusted with the responsibilities that include working with beacon school directors and inner-city school principals toward expanding 4T's programs and services to providing inner-city youth with the tools and resources needed to succeed in attaining a career.
His desire and passion to see youth succeed in today's competitive environment makes him the best in the field of professional youth development.
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PATRICK DELICES, SR. VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION Patrick is honored to take on the responsiblity for operational activities and liason with contacts. He delegates, supervise and manage all personnel. In conjuction with the President and Sr. VP of Services for 4T's Productions, Mr. Delices also holds the position of Director of Career Planning at Domincan College. Mr. Delices received his education at City College of New York, where he obtained a BA in International Relations and Black Studies and a MS in Education (Administration and Supervision). He interned at the City College of New York Department of Black Studies and at the United Nations International Children's Fund. He has also studied abroad in Tanzania and Egypt on a collegiate scholarship. As a young professional, Patrick has a very strong committment to the development process of urban city youths.
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FACT ALERT!
From 1990 through 2001, between 347,000 and 544,000 students in grades 10 through 12 left school each year without successfully completing a high school program.
- NCES (National Center for Educaction Statistics) From CPS (Current Population Survey)
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