The MAN UP program at Central Piedmont Community College, we will have our 2^nd Annual Male Empowerment Summit at Central Piedmont Community College on April 12, 2013 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. 

This year’s theme is “Built for the Road Ahead.”  The summit is designed for high school and college students that will address a broad spectrum of topics ranging from identity, networking, leadership, activism, and strategies for spiritual, personal, and professional growth.  This event will provide attendees practical recommendations for becoming leaders in their schools and communities.  Students will participate in a series of interactive workshops on healthy lifestyles, leadership and self-awareness.

MAN UP is a minority male mentoring program that provides comprehensive activities that will promote the personal development, academic improvement, and

Featured Speakers

John Martin, CEO and Founder YBMLA

 John Martin is the CEO and Founder of the Young Black Male (YBM) Leadership Alliance, a non-profit organization focusing on leadership development and college preparation for young, black men between the ages of 14 to 18. YBM Leadership Alliance's vision is to create a new reality by inspiring and developing a generation of future leaders.

YBM offers a myriad of services and programs for its participants. The organization places a strong emphasis on identifying and honoring high-achieving, black, male seniors from Charlotte and surrounding areas in its Top 100 Young, Black Men of Charlotte program and publication. In addition, third grade black, male students receive valuable one-on-one reading tutoring and mentoring from students in the Top 100. The yearly YBM Leadership Conference provides a full day of comprehensive workshops on leadership and college preparation, targeted information for parents of the participants, and interaction with college and business representatives. There is also team and peer mentoring, leadership challenges, college tours, and overnight leadership retreats.

In addition to his work with YBM, John is a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School African American Males Task Force, the Male Leadership Academy Board, Central Piedmont Community College Minority Male Mentoring Advisory Board, and the SAME Academy Board. 

John is the Senior Program Manager for JDS Uniphase, a leading provider of optical products and test and measurement solutions for the communications industry. He holds a Master's degree from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University, both in Computer Science. He earned the designation of Certified Project Management Professional [PMP] from PMI in 1995.

Jeston McMoore, Entrepreneur and Speaker

Jeston McMoore, a native of South Carolina, enlisted in the military for a four year contract out of High School, and vowed to not let the lack of effort in the classroom become how people remembered him. After being Honorably Discharged from the Military, Jeston attended Midlands Technical College and graduated with an Associate in Arts Degree, transferred to the University of South Carolina and pursued a Political Science degree, before transitioning into Corporate of America where he would remain for six years. During this time he finished his Bachelor in Business with an emphasis on Management at Webster University through Corporate Incentive's.

Currently, He is an entrepreneur with no prior experience and only faith and a dollar.  In 2010, He launched “That's My Car, LLC,” a pre-owned used car dealership, located in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina. For the first two years, he worked two jobs logging 90 hour per week. In December of 2012, he quit his corporate job leaving his benefits on the table and went full-time as the Managing Member of his business and has not looked back.

He is married to the love of his life and they eagerly anticipate the arrival of their first baby.  He has motivated our young people in a variety of ways such as: local churches, civic Groups and other community outreach

 Agenda at a Glance 

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.          Registration  

9:00 – 9:10a.m.          Welcome from MAN UP Program

                                    Greetings from CPCC

                                    Opening from MAN UP Students

                                    Introduction of John Martin           

9:10 - 10:50a.m.         Opening Session with John Martin, YMBLA CEO         

10:00 -10:40 a.m.       Workshop Sessions              

•     Silhouette of a Man:  This is who I am                               

•     Boys to Men:  Developing young men of character                      

•     Social Media in Today's Society      

10:50 - 11:30 a.m.      Workshop Sessions

•      Overcome a Pothole 

•      Create your own leader       

•      Rules of Engagement:  Attitude is everything!      

•      Goal Setting and Time Management          

•      How history empowered Manhood: Fred Shuttlesworth     

11:40 - 12:20p.m.       Workshop Sessions

•       Silhouette of a Man:  This is who I am       

•       Success is a process  

•       Goal Setting and Time Management          

•       Your condition is not your conclusion

•       Be a Change Agent

 12:30 – 1:20pm          Closing Session with Jeston McMoore, Entrepreneur

1:20 – 2:00pm            Lunch and Closing Remarks