The Groove team have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of South Florida’s less fortunate kids. Special guests Common, Mya and others were invited to offer advice and encouragement.

More than 400 kids from community organizations across South Florida were given a unique life coaching experience from a host of renowned sports and entertainment industry personalities during the daylong Summer Groove Youth Empowerment Summit, held on Saturday, July 17th at the Signature Grand in Davie, FL.

As part of Seminole Hard Rock Presents The Summer Groove Hosted by Zo & D. Wade, The Michael Fux Foundation hosted the event developed to give kids the opportunity to speak with celebrities, athletes, leaders in the community, business professionals and their peers, about prevalent issues, challenging situations and decisions they face on a daily basis. The daylong summit was designed to open the lines of communication and discuss the real issues that are important to youth at this stage of their lives. Covering a gamut of issues, teen participants were given an open dialogue with role models, prominent leaders in the community, entertainers, professional athletes, and other teens, to gain insight and a positive perspective on the challenges they face today.

This year’s Youth Summit focused on topics that included self-esteem/self-worth; peer pressure; avoidance, protection, and resolution; communication and sharing; respect and trust; self-knowledge, in addition to examining the different types and levels of violence. The Youth Summit proved to be inspiring and valuable for both teens and for the adult panelists that included: Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade, Tracy Wilson Mourning (Founder of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program), Terrance J (BET’s 106 and Park), Common (Hip-hop artist and actor), Fred Whitfield (President of Charlotte Bobcat’s), Melanie Camacho (comedian), Jill Marie Jones (actress), Rocsi (BET’s 106 and Park), Mrs Jolinda Wade (Mother of Dwyane Wade), Mya (R&B recording artist and actress), Robin Aitkens (PGA golfer), Brandon Bass (Orlando Magic), Mike James (NBA free agent) and Alesha Renee (BET Network host).

“One of our objectives at Alonzo Mourning Charities is to continuously put these at-risk kids in an environment that will enable them to learn from successful individuals and role models,” said Mourning.  “This year’s youth empowerment summit gave them some valuable insight and advice from our distinguished panelists on a variety of topics that affect their lives each and every day.”

“The chosen topics for discussion that were featured during this year’s youth empowerment summit were particularly relevant for me personally,” said Wade.  “I recall having to experience and ultimately resolve many of these issues as a teenager growing up.  Having a group of adult figureheads, that these kids aspire to become and can ultimately turn to for advice, provides them with the motivation they need in their early years.”

Now in it’s 14th year, Seminole Hard Rock Presents The Summer Groove Hosted by Zo & D. Wade takes place throughout South Florida July 14-18, 2010, with the majority of events taking place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The Summer Groove has become one of the largest fundraising events of the year, raising funds for programs supported by both Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation, who provide services to youth and their families throughout the community.

The 5-day Summer Groove kicked off on July 14th with The Summer Groove Golf Classic hosted at Doral Golf Resort & Spa; Youth Sports Conference Hosted by Gatorade & Nike July 15th; Youth Basketball Clinic Hosted by Gatorade & Nike July 16th; Alters Law Firm Summer Groove Comedy Jam hosted by Heineken at Hard Rock Live July 16th; Michael Fux Foundation Summer Groove Youth Empowerment Summit and Publix Charities Summer Groove Benefit Gala, themed “Aqua y Fuego, A Sizzling Summer Night” at Hard Rock Live, takes place July 17th; the Block Party Hosted by Pepsi and Carnival Cruise Lines Summer Groove All-Star Basketball Game at AmericanAirlines Arena take place on July 18th.

For more information visit www.TheSummerGroove.com.

Photo Credit: Alonzo Mourning Charities by Mitchell Zachs.

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