Pathways to Prosperity Empowers Buffalo Youth

We talk a lot about what our young people need, what they're missing and what we wish they had access to. But at some point, the conversation has to turn into action. And it feels like the action is happening now.

That's exactly what Buffalo Common Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt is hoping to accomplish with the Pathways to Prosperity Summer Jam, happening Saturday, August 15, from noon to 7 p.m. at All High Stadium.

Pathways to Prosperity Summer Jam

Wyatt recently stopped by Power 93.7 WBLK to talk about the event, and one thing was clear: this isn't simply another summer festival. While chatting with DJ Ed Nice her shared

"We talk about our youth, but what are we gonna do?" Wyatt said. "This is my way of saying, this is what we're gonna do."

And I love that.

Pathways to Prosperity combines the energy our youth want with information they actually need. The free event will feature Reginae Carter, who will discuss entrepreneurship and financial empowerment, along with Detroit rapper and entrepreneur Icewear Vezzo for an entrepreneur talk. And coming to Buffalo is YK Niece who will hit the stage for a live performance, while Buffalos own Rick Hyde of BSF will serve as host.

But Wyatt doesn't want our youth to simply be sitting in the audience listening.

"It's a two-way conversation," he explained. "They'll be talking, but they'll also take questions."

That access matters. Sometimes hearing directly from someone who has built a brand, created a business or turned their talent into income can help our youth see possibilities for themselves that they didn't know existed.

The event will also feature approximately 40 vendors, many of them are youth entrepreneurs, giving our youth an opportunity to put their businesses in front of the community.

"Getting that confidence and helping them to see that, 'Oh, you somebody,'" Wyatt told DJ Ed Nice "That's what this is all about, letting people be seen."

That may have been one of my favorite parts of our conversation.

Financial literacy and entrepreneurship aren't just trendy words. When we're talking about changing families and neighborhoods, we're talking about understanding money, ownership, investments, property and ultimately generational wealth.

"We gotta stop living as if we're impoverished or that we have no hope," Wyatt said. "We do have hope, but we gotta take the reins and say, 'Hey, what am I gonna do?'"

Pathways to Prosperity is also designed to continue beyond Saturday. Wyatt shared plans to host monthly sessions beginning this fall covering financial literacy, budgeting, stocks, investments, retirement, trusts and property.

That's where the real work begins.

Saturday will have music, performances and plenty of fun, but underneath all of it is a bigger message: No one is coming to save us. We have to invest in ourselves and make sure the next generation has the information, access and opportunities to build something of their own.

The Pathways to Prosperity Summer Jam takes place Saturday, August 15, from noon to 7 p.m. at All High Stadium in Buffalo. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free, but registration through Eventbrite is required. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, mentor or responsible adult.

Come for the music, but leave with something you can put to work.

Register for Pathways to Prosperity