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.