CENTRAL DISTRICT - Providing resources, access to educational programs and entertainment, Back to School Expo aims to get to the root of educational success.
The Central District-based Back to School Expo comes back for a second year to continue urging the importance of education and family involvement, with a few new additions to spice up the day.
"We really want to get to the heart of what people need in order to succeed in education, and thereby succeeding with career planning. People need to understand why education is important, and to also feel good about themselves," said Eba Yao, co-organizer of the event.
The first Back to School Expo was held last year at Yao's business, Calm Rain Designs. The event started as a way to get families and students involved with their education while offering a chance for families to learn about resources they wouldn't otherwise know how to access.
"This event is welcoming to everyone, we share people, parents and families," said Yao. "We want to be able to help each other succeed, come and meet other families and parents to talk about the goals for success, to make sure that the importance of education is instilled in our children no matter what the challenges are."
But the event isn't a day to talk about scores, it focuses on promoting what can be achieved through education by helping students and families navigate through the education system.
"The motto this year is, 'prepare to succeed.' Despite the negative scores, we're going to keep a focus on the positive things," said Yao. "We want them to know what it is they need to succeed [at]."
The event will provide several resources for families about educational programs, like youth mentoring, career planning and family involvement. In addition to pamphlets, mentors will also speak at the event about their experiences in education and its importance.
NEW RESOURCES
After a successful event last year, the Expo has added new features for students and families, and organizers said they hope to continue to see the event aid the community more productively every year.
Aside from educational resources, the Expo shows two exhibits at Calm Rain Designs. The first exhibit is the Black Inventors Exhibit and the second exhibit will be a Health and Body Exhibit, put on by Group Health.
Although the Expo focuses on education resources Yao said she wants to promote nutrition and self-image confidence because of how they factor into a person's attitude toward education.
Another new addition to this year's Expo is that the event doesn't stop at Calm Rain Designs. After visiting Yao's business, guests can make their way to Dallas BBQ and Soul Food for a youth talent show and a mentor-appreciation dinner.
"We're looking forward to a lot of kids and parents coming out," said Dallas restaurant owner and co-organizer of the event, Vicki Dallas. "We're trying to build a community and give kids a positive outlook on their education and their future,"
Although this is Dallas' first time working on an event like this, she said she's looking forward to providing a place where youth can express themselves.
"All the kids need more guiding in their life today. They sort of need to be steered in the right direction," said Dallas. "This is something to make them know there's someone out there who cares."
Aside from hosting an entertaining evening for the neighborhood, Dallas is also celebrating the restaurant's 1-year anniversary.
"I want to try to build up the community, and you know a lot of times kids don't have anything to do or no place to go that other people would acknowledge them, but I want them to feel that they can have a place to hang out in the daytime and express themselves," said Dallas.
Both Dallas and Yao emphasized that achieving success in school extends beyond the classroom, and a program like the talent show at Dallas' restaurant can provide an expressive outlet for youth.
But, overall, the event aims to educate families about the tangible things that will increase their children's chances of success.
"As organizers and parents we hope for the best. Whether it's a small amount or big amount, it's all good to me," said Yao. "But, we have to at least do something and say we did something for ourselves and for other families."
The event starts at 11 a.m. on Sept. 15 at Calm Rain Designs, 1825 South Jackson Street, and continues until 6 p.m. Starting around 6:30 p.m., the dinner and talent show begins at Dallas' restaurant, 2519 S. Jackson St.
For families or students who can't make the event Saturday, Yao invites anyone to come back and bring others to Calm Rain Designs on Sunday to see the education-related exhibits and access the resources.
Jessica Van Gilder may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.
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