Youth Development Initiatives

06/02/2026

What a wonderful day at YDI!

We were pleased to welcome members of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education Members . Charlitta Crowder Hatch London Witherspoon and CMS Deputy Superintendents W. Balknight D. Vaught to our Life Skills Training Center for a Lunch & Learn with YDI Founder & CEO Darryl L. Bego and our staff.

CMS guests toured our facility, learned about our programs, and saw firsthand how YDI is helping students develop the academic, career, workforce, and life skills needed to thrive.

As we celebrate 20 years of impact in Charlotte, we are grateful for leaders who take the time to learn about the needs of our young people and the partnerships that help them succeed.

Thank you, Board of Education for spending time with us. Together, we can continue creating pathways to opportunity for Charlotte's youth.

05/28/2026

We’re grateful to have participated in Do Greater Charlotte’s Make for Good: Youth Creative Agency Program — an incredible pilot initiative connecting high school students with nonprofits to create meaningful, real-world marketing solutions.

Through this after-school experience, students worked alongside creative mentors to develop social media and marketing deliverables designed to support organizations like Youth Development Initiatives.

Throughout the program, YDI had the opportunity to:
✨ Share our mission and marketing goals
✨ Collaborate directly with talented student teams
✨ Provide feedback and insight as ideas developed
✨ Receive creative assets and strategies that will help strengthen our outreach and storytelling

Programs like this not only equip students with hands-on professional experience, but also empower nonprofits with fresh ideas, creativity, and community connection.

A heartfelt thank you to the students, mentors, and the entire Do Greater team for investing in the next generation of creative leaders while supporting organizations working to make a difference in Charlotte.

05/27/2026

🌸 SAVE THE DATE 🌸

YDI is turning 20 — and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

✨ The YDI Impact Soirée: 20 Years Strong ✨
📅 August 11, 2026
📍 The Pearl Innovation District
⏰ 6PM–9PM

An unforgettable evening of music, impact, inspiration, and community as we celebrate two decades of serving Charlotte youth 💙

🎶 Live entertainment
🎨 Live art
🍸 Signature cocktails
💬 Powerful stories of transformation

Stay tuned for more details!

Interested in becoming an event sponsor? We’d love to connect via [email protected]

05/06/2026

Grateful for partners who help us grow!

Thank you to Apparo for supporting YDI through the implementation of our NeonOne CRM system—helping us better serve our students and community.

Check out the story behind the project:
👉 https://apparo.org/impact-update-application-selection-for-youth-development-initiatives/

Skilled volunteers from Wells Fargo collaborated with Youth Development Initiatives to streamline their donor management processes so they can serve more students in the Charlotte area.

05/05/2026

Thank you Tina M. Webb-Bouttry from First Citizens Bank!

Our YDI Scholars at Julius L. Chambers High School -Mecklenburg Schools learned key financial skills like budgeting and saving—building a strong foundation for their future.

Grateful for partners who invest in our students!

05/04/2026

Grateful and honored 💙

Thank you to Rodgers Builders and leaders Conroy Parchment and Jenene Seymour for recognizing YDI through the 2026 B.D. Rodgers Vision Award.

Partnerships like this help our students continue to grow and thrive.

04/22/2026

We are still feeling the love from YDI in Bloom 🌸

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Youth Development Initiatives—it was truly a special evening.

A heartfelt thank you to our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, volunteers, staff, and our incredible students who shared their stories. Special thanks to alumni Robert Hooper for traveling from Asheville to join us!

Our generous sponsors made this event possible and we appreciate BatteryXchange, Pinnacle Financial Partners and Prosperity Wealth Group, LLC

We’re also grateful to Eighty Eights, QC Catering, and the Harvey Cummings Trio for helping create such a memorable night.

We do want to sincerely apologize for the issue with our donation QR code during the event. We know many of you tried to give, and we are working with Neon One to resolve it.

If you weren’t able to donate—or even if you couldn’t attend—you can still support our students today.

🌸 Your gift helps our students continue to grow, learn, and thrive.

👉 Donate here: https://ydiinc.app.neoncrm.com/forms/general-donation-form

As we work toward our 20 in 26 Campaign, every contribution helps us continue this important work.

Thank you for helping our students bloom 💙

04/21/2026

Today is the day. 🌸

If you’ve been meaning to join us—there’s still time.

Tickets will be available at the door, so come out, bring a friend, and support Youth Development Initiatives.

Live music by the Harvey Cummings, II trio, light bites and connection!

Let’s show up for our students.

04/20/2026

Tomorrow is the day. 🌸

There’s still time to be part of something meaningful.

Join us for YDI in Bloom—an evening of community, impact, and live music by the Harvey Cummings trio.

🎟 Last chance tickets: https://ydiinc.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=2&

Your presence matters.

04/19/2026

48 hours to go.

We still need your help to reach our goal.

This event directly supports Youth Development Initiatives and the students counting on us for guidance, opportunity, and support.

🎟 $50 tickets → https://ydiinc.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=2&

Don’t wait. Join us.