Sportscaster James “JB” Brown and Philadelphia 76er Andre Iguadala among those mentors

(Philadelphia) Getting to the top takes hard work and dedication. Trying to pass that commitment down to inner-city kids can be a challenge at times. Urban Youth Racing School founder Anthony Martin, answering President Barack Obama’s call to action on education and mentorship, found a solution in the “What It Takes” symposiums Presented by the US ARMY. The national outreach initiative, which connects highly successful minority entrepreneurs, scientists, professional athletes, businessmen, military officers, medical professionals and educators with high potential but low performing minority males, will be held in partnership with The Franklin Institute on Monday, Feb. 28, from 1-5 p.m. at Philadelphia’s The Franklin Institute. The event will bring 200 minority male students together to encourage and motivate them to be successful by allowing them to meet and interact with high-profile minority males with major accomplishments who came from similar positions.  The boys who plan to attend the event are impressed by the star power of the panel. The “What It Takes” symposiums are presented by the United States Army and will be hosted by The Franklin Institute, renowned for inspiring youth to learn. A three-time Emmy winner, and CBS and Showtime’s Inside the NFL anchor James “JB” Brown will moderate the event and panelists include Philadelphia Sixer Andre Iguodala; Howard “H” White, Senior Vice President, Air Jordan Brand, Nike; Dr. Anthony Junior, ONR HBCU/MI Director; Anthony Carter, Chief Diversity Officer Johnson & Johnson Inc.; Derrick Brooks, Arete Sports Agency;  Rev. Carvin Haggins, Grammy Winning Producer; Senator Anthony Hardy William; Dwayne  Edwards, Director Design, Air Jordan Brand, Nike; Aubrey Watkins, Scientist, Merck; Ted Reid SVP Morgan Stanley Smith Barney;  Hershel L. Turner, Command Sergeant Major, US ARMY and Eddie Chambers, 1# Boxing Heavy Weight Contender among others. The purpose of “What It Takes” is to keep inner-city boys interested in school so that they can earn good marks and be successful, while learning how to devise a strategic plan to move forward into their future. Not only will the students who are attending get the opportunity to listen to the panelists, but for the first time the event will be WEBCAST to other schools in the Philadelphia School District and globally for other students to see. Also, a new interactive display area with youth-based curriculum involving programs from The Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum and the US Army who will be on hand to show the students  opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and to become members of the programs they may not otherwise be able to access. To view the “What It Takes” All-Star PSA, log onto www.whatittakes.me. The “What It Takes” Symposium is presented by the US ARMY with additional support from Johnson & Johnson Inc. and the Dept. Of Naval Research. “‘What It Takes’ emerged from Urban Youth Racing School’s efforts to interest more inner-city students in STEM subjects,” said Anthony Martin, the school’s founder. “Students were excited about racing go-karts and learning math, but they were frustrated they did not know. ‘What It Takes’ to be successful young men, who could graduate from high school, go to college and live a good life.  “What It Takes’ fills that void by having men, many of whom have struggled through the same path as your young men, reach back and tell them ‘What It Takes.’” The nationally acclaimed Urban Youth Racing School, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Anthony Martin, a sport marketing expert, is headquartered in Philadelphia and operates a full-service mechanic/race shop and office complex at its headquarters.  Under Martin’s leadership, the school has introduced inner-city children to the world of motorsports on the foundation of learning Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.In addition to teaching young people the ins and outs of the racing industry, Martin helps his kids develop necessary life skills — integrating valuable components such as education, leadership skills and diversity training into the overall curriculum at UYRS.The program enrolls urban boys and girls ages 8 through 18, and is free for all participants. More than 2,800 boys and girls have successfully completed UYRS programs with noticeable improvements in academic achievement. For more information on UYRS log onto www.uyrs.com.The Franklin InstituteIncreasingly a “go-to” destination, The Franklin is known for blockbuster exhibits, one-of-a-kind theatrical experiences, a growing roster of evening events for adults, and cutting-edge community learning (including a high school partnership with the School District of Philadelphia) with national influence.  All are aimed at explaining science in ways that impact on people’s lives.  Additionally, the museum’s prestigious Franklin Awards, which honor the greatest men and women of science, engineering, and technology, has achieved international significance in recent years.  The Franklin is considered one of the great science centers in the nation and the world – with the ability to present science in an engaging and increasingly interactive setting that creates real-world relevance to the multi-cultural community which The Franklin serves. Hi-res JPGs available upon request.  Media Contacts – “What It Takes” CherSquad@mac.com or 856-857-0146;Franklin Institute -  SSanto@fi.edu or 215-448-1152What It Takes Foundation / UYRS Contact  -  ligerinc@aol.com- 215-971-5660

Sports & Media Heavy Weights join Urban Youth Racing School’s “What it Takes” Symposium
Strategies For Successfully re-engaging minority Male Students in their Academic Careers

Stehen A. Smith, Charles barkley, Jeremiah Trotter and Garry Cobb among those to Address You

In an effort to motivate high potential but under performing males and directly impact a horrendous student drop out rate and with President Obama’s naming of Philadelphia as one of three cities which include Detroit and Los Angeles, who together make up over 50 % of the United States drop out rate. Anthony Martin, Founder Urban Youth Racing School has convened a national panel of successful minority men to not only talk about success, but give these students the strategies they used as young men to avoid negative pitfalls and maneuver through everyday challenge at home and school eve n as they reached for the stars and achieved their goals.

The Symposium was moderated by ESPN Analyst, Stephen A. Smith and the panelist included Charles Barkley, TNT Analyst; Garry Cobb,WIP; Jeremiah Trotter, Former NFL Player; Steve Cunningham, Former Cruiser Weight Champ; Eddie Chambers, Pro Boxer; Ted Reid, Wealth Advisor; Carvin Haggins, Music producer; Keith Russell ABC Philadelphia Sports Anchor; Al Irby, Professional Sports Agent and Reggie Showers, Former NHRA Racer

In a first of kinds event, school, grades, sex, aids, absentee fathers, teenage pregnancy and self esteem were among the topics that were candidly discussed with the students by the panel of guest.

Click to view pictures of the event

 GENERAL MOTORS HEAD GLOBAL DESIGNER TO ADDRESS 11TH ANNUAL URBAN YOUTH RACING SCHOOL

BUILD A DREAMS AWARDS BANQUET

(Philadelphia, PA-March 30, 2009)- Philadelphia native Edward T. Wedburn, Vice President, General Motors Global will be the keynote at the Urban Youth Racing School’s 11th Annual Build A Dream Award Ceremony, on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Simeon Automotive Foundation, said Anthony Martin, Found and Executive Director of the racing school. “We are pleased and excited to have Mr. Welburn back home to bring his professional, educational and, inspirational experiences to the 100 studnets, along with their parents and other guest and supporters”, said Mr Martin.

Mr. Ed J, Peper, North America Vice President, Chevrolet will serve as the dinner chairman. Mr Pepersaid, “in this current economic climate, Chevrolet is pleased to be able to continue it’s long standing support of the educational and training programs of the Urban Youth Racing School.” It’s proofed positive that these young people are important to the future of our country.”

Mr. Welburn, a thirty-seven year veteran, rose though the ranks of the General Motors Design staff; starting as an associate  designer in the Asvance Design Studios in 1972 and named Vice President, Global designs in 2005. Mr. Welburn said, “i’m always thankful and appreciative to be able to come home and give back to the community that is a part of my very being.”

The Urban Youth Racing School a one kind program, founded in 1998, is a 501 C 3 organization. it has advanced the basic interest in the motorsports industry into a nationally acclaimed educatinal program that incorporates the pillars of science, technology, engineering, and math, through the Build A Dream, Engines Design and Team Development programs. Over 2200 students have passed through the UYRs program. The school has 90% college acceptance rate and has positively impacted the lives of inner city youth.

Other supporters that will be in attendance include Philadelphia Mayor Michea; A. Nutter; Richard Childress, NASCAR team owner; Terrence J, BET 106& Park; Jeff Burton, NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver; Ryan gifford, Team Dillon racing, Pro boxer Steve Cunnigham and Philadelphia hip hop star Beanie Siegal.

Other event partners include Comcast, Craftsman, Joe Gibbs Racing, The Chubb Corpaoration, Sprint, XBOX, Ben & Jerrys Home Made Inc., Penske Corp, ISC and E. B. Mahoney Builders.

The 2010 Chevy Camaro will be on site for the students and guest to enjoy.

About UYRS:

The UYRS was founded in 1998 and is the brainchild of former sports marketing executive, Anthony Martin. The 501-C3 prganization if privately funded by corporate sponsorships and donations. UYRS uses innovative educational techniques to teach urban students “STEM”-science,technology, engineering and math. we use motorsports as a vehicle to increase students’ exposure to, and interest in, self-directed learning, scientific inquiry and transfer of knowledge with the primary goal of 100% high school graduation. Our success will be measured by the success of our students in college, work and life.