We Speak Events
I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program Introduces Attendance, Academic & Athletic Incentive Program
This program brings together Rebook, Nautica and Vince Camuto’s global influence, VampCares deep community roots and I WILL GRADUATE’s expertise in youth development.
(New York, NY- January 28, 2025- I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program today announces the Attendance, Academic, & Athletic Incentive Program (AAA). This initiative aims to empower New York City’s youth by rewarding excellence in school attendance, academic performance, and athletic engagement.
This Partnership addresses critical challenges like chronic absenteeism while fostering a culture of achievement, engagement, and resilience. This program will empower youth to achieve success by promoting consistent attendance, academic growth and athletic participation through encourangement, recognition and rewards, ultimately creating school environments where these elements are championed as interconnected pillars of student success.
The AAA Program features a unique school-based point system where students earn points for consistent attendance, strong academic efforts, and participation in extracurriculars. To combat truancy, the program includes mentorship opportunities, interactive events, and celebrity guest visits by figures like Jim Jones to motivate students and highlight the value of hard work. The initiative will launch in Harlem as a tribute to Jones’ dedication to his community and will expand to select New York City schools, blending mentorship, motivation, and engaging activities to inspire academic and personal excellence.
“Harlem is my heart, and the youth here deserve every opportunity to shine,” said Jim Jones, founder of VampCares. This program is about investing in our kids, giving them tools to succeed, and showing them that their efforts will always be celebrated.”
Renowned for hosting the largest annual youth empowerment event in New York City, the I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program has 20-year proven track record of fostering academic success, personal growth, and resilience in student. through a combination of mentorship, skill-building workshops, educational support, and community engagement, I WILL GRADUATE empowers young people to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. With a commitment to improving attendance, academic performance, and overall well-being, the program has positively impacted thousands of students. Its partnership with, Reebok, Nautica, Vince Camuto and VampCares will further expand its mission, bringing invaluable resources to schools in need and extending its reach to new audiences, ensuring even more students benefit from I WILL GRADUATE’S transformative impact.
“I am grateful to be partnering with Reebok, Nautica, Vince Camuto and VampCares on this initiative, said Tonya-Lewis-Taylor, Executive Director of I WILL GRADUATE. “Empowering our youth is at the heart of the work we do, and this collaboration will provide students with the tools, mentorship and resources they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we are committed to continuing our work to ensure they have the support and encouragement to reach their fullest potential.”
The AAA Program is more than an initiative-its a promise to uplift, inspire, and transform the lives of New York City’s youth. By combining the influence of global brands, passionate leaders and community-driven programs, the partnership aims to create a brighter future, one student at a time.
About the Entertainers For Education Alliance, Inc./I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program
Entertainers 4 Education Alliance, Inc./I WILL GRADUATE (E4EA-IWG) headquartered in New York City, is a 501 (c)(3) founded by Tonya Lewis-Taylor and her husband, J.P. Taylor, have dedicated over 15 years to serving and empowering students, families and the community through their youth development programs, arts-in-education, college and career guidance, mentoring, parent engagement, school and community workshops, exciting events, and the use of multimedia platforms. We also enlist the talents, and resources of the music and entertainment industry along with prominent high-profile individuals to stress the importance and coolness of being educated- “Smart is the New Cool.”
About Jim Jones & VampCares
Jim Jones is a Hip Hop Icon, television star, entrepreneur, and entertainment mogul, best known as a founding member The Diplomats. With chart-topping hits like “We Fly High” and “Pop Champagne,” Jim has expanded his influence into business, including ventures like VampLife Clothing, Vamp Fit, and his wellness brand. As the founder of VampCares, he is deeply committed to giving back to inner-city youth and fostering positive change. Jim’s most recent music projects include Back in My Prime and collaborations with EMPIRE, consistently earning critical acclaim. @jimjonescapo. VampCares is the philanthropic organization founded by Jim Jones, dedicated to empowering underserved communities. VampCares focuses on youth development, education, wellness, and mentorship initiatives. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and hands-on engagement, the organization works to uplift inner-city youth and provide resources that foster academic, personal, and professional growth. VampCares is committed to creating lasting change and inspiring the next generation to dream big, work hard and achieve greatness.
About Reebok
Reebok is an iconic and irreverent sports culture brand with a rich and storied fitness heritage dating back 1895. Founded on athletic footwear that changed the direction of sport, Reebok continues to introduce innovations that propel the industry forward. Today, Reebok sits at the intersection of active lifestyle and sport, offering high quality and modern styles that are adaptable for every occasion. The brand strives to deliver every athlete, from professionals to enthusiasts, with the opportunity, products and inspiration to reach their full potential. Reebok currently operates in 80 countries with approximately 400 freestanding stores around the world.
For more information, visit Reebok.com or for the latest news at News.Reebok.com. Discover Reebok on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
About Nautica
Drawing from the essence of the water and the currents of the world. Nautica is a global lifestyle brand creates style that’s iconic, yet modern and innovative in its fit, feel and function. Nautica is one of the most recognized American brands in the world, with over 70 categories including apparel, accessories and a home collection for men, women and children. Nautica is available in nearly 1,300 freestanding stores and shop-inshops in more than 30 countries worldwide, as well as on nautica.com.
Follow @nautica on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
About Vince Camuto
Vince Camuto is an aspirational lifestyle brand known for its signature craftsmanship and stand-out style. Sexy, bold and youthful, the acclaimed designer brand blends European styling with on-trend details and an element of sophistication. The brand has successfully transcended its distinctive women’s collections and today offers a broad range of products including footwear, apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as fragrance and home decor. The brand can be found in deparment stores and specialty retailers across North America and select international regions, as well as, on vincecamuto.com. Follow Vince Camuto on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
For Jim Jones
Chanel Pettaway 917-690-0059 ChanelRae@TheLegionMediaGroup.com
ForE4EA/I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program/Tonya Lewis-Taylor
Ayanna Camera 718-385-3133 acamara@iwgprogram.com
We Speak Entertainment
BET MEDIA GROUP HONORED BLACK LGBTQ+ TRAILBLAZER WITH A POWERFUL NIGHT OF CELEBRATION, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
FROM BOB THE DRAG QUEEN’S GROUNDBREAKING RECOGNITION TO HOPE GISELLES’S INSPIRING REMARKS– THE 3RD ANNUAL BET BLACK + ICONIC SOIREE HIGHLIGHTED THE BRILLIANCE AND IMPACT OF BLACK LGBTQ+ LEADERS

(New York, NY)– May 28, 2025 – The 3rd Annual BET Black + Iconic Soirée made its Washington, D.C debut with inspiring evening celebrating the past, present, and future of black LGBTQ+ excellence. The 2025 theme, “Excellence Ascending,” paid tribute to cultural change makers leading with authenticity, courage and purpose.
Hosted by entertainment journalist and Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée gathered trailblazers across activism, arts, business, and media for a powerful evening of storytelling , performance, and legacy-building.
Highlights from the BET Black + Iconic Soriée Included:
- Ashlee Davis, J.D. received the Executive Realness Award for her trailblazing work in civil rights leadership, including her legacy of impact across government and corporate sectors.
- Hope Giselle, a powerful advocate and author was named Emerging leader for her unrelenting work championing visibility and inclusion for Black trans communities.
- Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, was honored as Active Advocate for her decades of leadership advancing reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Ashlee Marie Preston, a nationally recognized activist and media strategist, accepted the Creative Visionary Award, saluted for using her voice to shift narratives and build intergenerational coalitions.
- Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning entertainer and global icon, received the Culture Trailblazer Award, closing the evening with a heartfelt speech about identity, freedom, legacy.
- The Center for Black Equity and the Take Resource Center each received $5,000 through the BET Thrive Fund Recognition, honored for their work advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness, equity and community organizing.
The night also featured a soul-stirring medley performance by Broadway powerhouse Avery Wilson, fresh off stage from The Wiz revival. Presenters included Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Carter The Body (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Bryan Terrell Clark (Diarra from Detroit, BET+), and Arrington Foster (The Family Business, BET+), each bringing star power and heartfelt tributes to the evening’s honorees.
“From the very beginning, we knew this couldn’t be just another event,” said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics and Co-Lead of Social Impact at BET, During his opening remarks. “It had to an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced and celebrate contributions that have shaped the world in powerful ways.”
The evening also spotlighted Gilead Sciences, a long standing partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Gilead’s Rashad Burgess, Vice President of U.S. Advocacy and Health Equity, emphasized and the importance of equitable healthcare access, visibility, and long-term impact for Black LGBTQ+ communities.
Additionally, the event welcomed Truth Initiative as a new partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Dr. Kendrick Dartis, Vice president of Outreach and Engagement, addressed the urgent issue of tobacco use in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and emphasized the need for culturally relevant cessation support. He also announced a $5,000 BET Thrive Fund donation, sponsored by Truth Initiative, to Us Helping Us– a D.C.- based non profit dedicated to advancing health equity.
BET Black + Iconic Soirée stands as defining moment in the 45th anniversary year of the media group– underscoring its mission to center Black culture, honor its LGBTQ+ communities, and drive meaningful, measurable impact.
Join the conversation using #BlackAndIconic and relieve the nights most powerful moments on BET’s official social channels. The Televised premiere date and time will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ:PARAA;PARA), is the worlds largest media company dedicated too entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Back audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements visit bet pressroom.com.
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