Synergy Creatives, a page-based non-profit organization, will host the Lake Powell Kids and Teens Business Fair on March 11th. The event will be held at the Page Public Library from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The aim of the event is to encourage youth entrepreneurship, with organizers inviting young people aged 6 to 19 to participate and selling handmade retail products at the fair.

According to Synergy Creatives, “Each child has a talent that can make a big difference in the world. They still experience the freedom (and responsibility) to spend money.We help them do the hard things, hold them accountable, and most importantly, find a mission to help change the world. I would like to encourage them to continue learning about

Synergy Creatives founder Yemisi Agbebi said that entrepreneurship can give young people a sense of creativity and wonder, and instill a sense of what their future will look like.

“Entrepreneurship is an opportunity to have confidence that you can build something that someone will buy,” she said.

“Not everyone becomes a business person, but it gives them confidence, creativity and even self-esteem. It keeps them out of trouble. , we want to run the program in a way that allows families to be involved, even when working with children.

Entrepreneurship also prepares young people for leadership. Giving them a platform to experiment, make mistakes, and grow under the guidance of an established program will help them become future leaders who feel invested in the communities they grew up in.

The Children and Teen Business Fair is one of the upcoming events planned by Synergy Creatives, founded in November 2022 by Yemisi and her husband Samson, who have lived in Page since 2006.

Yemisi and Samson have years of experience working with young people. Yemisi was a juvenile probation officer for the Coconino County Department of Justice and later worked for the Arizona Department of Child Protection. She also spent time teaching about the Navajo people. Samson, who holds a master’s degree in cultural anthropology, has worked with the Navajo Her Nation since 1998 as an educator.

“I feel like Paige has her own uniqueness. There are things we can do to help Paige who is unique,” she said. “When we felt the need, we said, ‘Yes, this is what we believe in. We put it out there and got positive support.’

Before starting Synergy Creatives, Yemisi and Samson ran substance abuse awareness programs in schools in Page, Shonto, Caibet, Red Lake, Tuba City, and other communities.

“We wanted to do something productive and positive. Instead of saying ‘no’ and spending energy on them, could we give them a chance to do something in the community?” rice field. “We tend to focus on young people first because they’re still impressive and everything we do for them reverberates through their families. When I get home, I will say to my parents, ‘Someone talked about this in our class today.

Last year they decided to start Synergy Creatives, a non-profit. Because it gives you an organized platform to reach more people.

“As individuals, we cannot do things alone. Synergy and partnerships with other organizations enable us to do more,” said Yemisi.

Synergy’s declared mission is to “educate and empower students, families, schools and communities with the skills to create safer and healthier societies.” Supporting Success: We fulfill our mission by providing evidence-based services and events to Page youth and their families.”

The organization also seeks “as part of our efforts to bridge and promote racial understanding and unity among the different cultures of our communities.”

Of course, these programs need funding, and Synergy is hosting a Taste of Africa fundraiser at the Ranch House Grill on February 28th. You can dine in and take it home, or hang around the Ranchhouse Grill for a silent auction consisting of gift cards and products donated by local businesses.

Yemisi’s Nigerian cuisine will also be featured at an event hosted by the Page Unified School District on February 27 to celebrate Cultural Diversity and Black History Month. The event will also feature cuisine from Native Americans, Filipinos, and other cultures.

“Black History Month is an opportunity to share what African Americans have done and promote multiculturalism. It’s an opportunity to talk about how we move forward,” Yemisi said.

“We want a community where our children and grandchildren feel safe without fanning the flames of discord. We stand to promote forgiveness and reconciliation in our communities. It’s a platform to bring everyone together. ”

Further down the road, Synergy will also be hosting a women’s and girls’ workshop and business fair on March 29th from 2:30pm to 7:00pm at the Coconino Community College Page Center.

A wide range of topics, including women’s health, domestic violence, teenage dating violence prevention, culture and diversity, substance abuse prevention, girls’ STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, mental health, and nutrition and nutrition. A talk will be given on the topic. Business development training opportunities.

“There are so many opportunities for girls and women in the STEM field now,” said Yemisi. “There are a lot of talented young girls. When they see potential, they’re more committed and work harder because they’re not scared to think, ‘Oh, that’s a man’s field.'”

Synergy is also considering running a “virtual academy” during the summer. This will allow children to “travel without leaving town” by logging in to a series of scheduled online classes.

“We can do story time, reading, drama, music, travel and culture,” Yemisi said. “What about culture? Respect, empathy, hard and soft skills, relationships, communication, and maybe cooking. Fun but practical.”

With all these events on Synergy’s agenda, the organization is looking for volunteers to help.

“We can’t do it alone. We have people signing up, but we’re always looking for volunteers, advisors, and people to join us in helping our children.” “They are our future, they are our investments. If we prepare for them, I think we can reap the benefits,” she said.

Yemisi said the City of Page, Mayor Bill Diack, and the Page community have been very supportive of her organization’s efforts.

“I’m really encouraged because it’s not easy to do something new,” she said, adding more when it comes to community programs.

“It’s like soup. When you put all the ingredients together, it smells good. Synergy is how you put things together. Each angle. Some kids like 4-H, some like entrepreneurship.” Some kids like sports, some kids want to do STEM.

For more information on Synergy Creatives, please email us. [email protected] Or call us at 928-693-5383. For more information on the March 11th Lake Powell Children’s and Teen Business Fair, please contact Synergy Creatives or call Page Public Library at 928-645-4270. Pre-order food for the Taste of Africa food tasting and silent auction fundraiser by texting 928-693-5383 by February 25th.