Urban Next Summit

Save the Date
July 24-25, 2008
New Orleans

Almost three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still recovering from a storm that destroyed 80 percent of the city. While many are still struggling, New Orleans has also attracted thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about rebuilding an American city in a more equitable way. By creating coalitions of talented young people in the private and public sector who work together, New Orleans is engaging urban enthusiasts in the rebuilding process.

While New Orleans has a unique opportunity to build its talent pool, what makes a city a magnet for passionate young people? How can a city engage this talent? And how can a city hold onto these individuals in the future?

We invite you to participate in the Urban Next Summit to help answer these questions. This special opportunity to join the national conversation on cities will take place in a city where young people from diverse backgrounds have been instrumental in the rebuilding process. While exploring a number of city issues together, this gathering will be organized to facilitate meaningful connections between emerging and established leaders.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Hear from and meet a number of distinguished speakers and panelists
• Share and learn about innovative strategies for cities
• Participate in discussion forums to inform others on the work happening in cities
• Connect with emerging and established urban leaders from cities across the nation
• Explore New Orleans as an insider

Topics will include:

• Attraction and retention of talent
• Creating a culture of opportunity
• Advocacy for urban enthusiasts
• Idea generation surrounding current urban challenges and opportunities
• Messaging for cities
• Connecting innovators to our cities

Apply to be part of the Urban Next Summit by clicking here. Applications are due by June 15, 2008. View the draft agenda here.

About the presenters:

CEOs for Cities is a cross-sector network of urban leaders from the civic, corporate, academic and philanthropic sectors exploring the future and inventing next practices for cities. Find out more at www.ceosforcities.org.

The mission of New Orleans Young Urban Rebuilding Professionals (NOLA YURP) is to create a support network to connect, retain and attract young professionals from diverse backgrounds for a sustainable New Orleans. Find out more at www.nolayurp.org.

If you have any questions please contact me at bmarquis@ceosforcities.org. I look forward to receiving your application.

Best,
Bridget

CEOs for Cities
177 North State Street, Suite 500 - Chicago, IL 60601 - 312.553.4630

Sharing Ideas with Russian Delegation

Last Friday, we got an opportunity to exchange ideas and stories with a delegation of young leaders from various cities in Russia. The two-hour meeting afforded us the opportunity to have a candid discussion about the city of New Orleans, the rebuilding process, the government's response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and how young leaders are shaping the new frontier of the city. It was exciting to hear that this movement of "engaged young professionals" has become an international phenomenon. Young people around the globe are becoming increasingly aware and dedicated to fixing today's most pressing social problems.

Nathan Rothstein on Rebuilding After Katrina

"Life After College" at Loyola University

NOLA YURP recently conducted its 5th Life After College workshop on the campus of Loyola University, February 14th in the University's Danna Center. About 20 students attended the discussion to find out about options available to them after graduation in the city of New Orleans. Our panel consisted of two Loyola Alums (David Robinson-Morris and Leigh Thorpe) and the staff of NOLA YURP. The workshop at Loyola University was the 5th "Life After College" Workshop that the NOLA YURP Initiative has conducted since October. Yale and Spring Hill College are two of the other schools, just to name a few, that has hosted NOLA YURP for this workshop.

NOLA YURP Staff @ Allan Houston Foundation Event

Yesterday will go down in history as the day I had the most fun in my life. The last couple of months I have had very little time to enjoy the one activity which gives me the greatest joy i.e. interacting with kids! I am one of the biggest kids at heart and to have an opportunity to spend the afternoon with some of the greatest kids in the world at Harry S. Truman Middle School truly did this "old man" (according to the kids) some good. I got an opportunity to have this interaction due to the great work of the Allan Houston Foundation and his Young Entrepreneurs Class, which Nathan (Director of NOLA YURP) is a participant in. From basketball to sack races, I got a chance to do it all! The goal of the event was to reward the high achieving kids and their parents with fun events and games to continue to build the family unit. I met some bright, intelligent, energetic, and wonderful kids which has me excited about the future of New Orleans. My hats off to the teachers, parents, staff, and administration at Harry S. Truman Middle School you guys are doing an excellent job! In the picture below you will notice me exploding past Nathan to capture 2nd place in the Sack Race! I LOVE KIDS! If anyone knows of any youth sports coaching opportunities please send me an email @ kendrick@nolayurp.org.