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#100KYouth

Washington, D.C - January 28, 2022 - Local homegrown champion, BJ Paige, has a past with the local school systems that by on paper should have led him down a different path than the path he has created for himself.  Despite being expelled from Prince George’s County Public School system, while in the prime of his athletic tenure and from District of Columbia Public Schools on his first day of attendance, being from homeschooling, BJ persisted and graduated on time from Montgomery County Public Schools. This determination to create and change the narrative is stimulation to reach 100,000 youth this year.

The mission of #100KYouth is to reach students and young adults from the age of 12-25years and show them how to become productive members of society through their passions that will lead to careers.  Through these career choices, the youth are expected to give back and share their experience the same or find a better way than Mr. Paige.  Becoming a product of your surroundings is no longer an excuse that Mr. Paige is accepting from our youth, and his own story of triumph to victory is relatable to the youth of this area.  Some of the same dilemma’s BJ dealt with growing in this area, are being recycled and replayed to the youth today.  Preparation for tomorrow comes from the work we do today.  The time is now, our youth are dealing with a mounting of issues that the world has not seen before, and BJ wants to show them that the story “your story” does not stop here, it’s all about what you will make from it.  BJ is unwavering loyal to his local area.  He knows best that it will make or break you.

As a Workforce Development Motivational Speaker, everything that BJ Paige has done in his professional career has revolved around the word “help” for the youth and young adults in his community. He has worked as a Youth Career Consultant (Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation), as a Youth Business Consultant (Employ Prince George’s), Executive Director (Run Hope Work), DC-PG Metro Director (Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council), and Associate Director with (Flikshop School of Business). He has numerous accolades helping the youth successfully move forward in their career from school to adulthood. His pride and joy, and what has directed him to a career in workforce development is after high school, entering the United States Air Force and just not being satisfied or fulfilled in where he was career wise, he decided to bet on himself and those that look like him.  In 2014 he founded a nonprofit, Boys 2 Bowties, where the mission was to show young men how to successfully transition from adolescence to man/adult hood.

This past December, BJ was invited by Athletic Director JC Pinkney; the very same coach who coached him while a student athlete at Frederick Douglass High School.  BJ had the opportunity to inspire the 2021 Maryland State 2A Football Champions at Frederick Douglass High School, the very same football team he played for. In addition, BJ was the Guest Speaker for their 1st Quarter Honor Roll Assembly. At the conclusion of BJ’s presentation, a scholar told BJ that before he heard him speak, “he had no idea what he’d do after high school”. This was the beginning of the mission of reaching 100,000 youth in 2022. 

“BJ's message reinforced the importance of academic excellence. BJ established an interactive environment during the Honor Roll assembly where students stood up and recited positive affirmations. In the words of our students, BJ Paige's presentation was "great"! BJ received a standing ovation from our students. We plan to bring him back to speak to our students again.” -Eddie Scott, Principal of Frederick Douglass High School, PGCPS

“I am committed to reaching 100,000 youth and young adults, they deserve to know how important it is to focus and prepare for your career right now,” said BJ Paige. With over 200,000 vacant entry level jobs available in the DC area, BJ and his mission is a benefit to the local economy as well; offering a gateway to fulfilling job vacancies is not easy, especially when the applicants are not prepared for the opportunities. BJ is proud to say, “I helped thousands of youth not only find a career but gave them the confidence and tools to overcome common career search barriers, that’s what #100KYouth is all about”. 

Some of the local organizations that BJ has helped are PGCPS, DCPS, NAACP, YAP, TRIO, Howard University Upward Bound, M-NCPPC, PGCC, DCHA and more. Each time he has poured into the youth and young adults to help them focus on life after school. His advice and leadership have also trickled into the staff at some of the organizations as well.  BJ’s opportunities have also expanded adults and staff of organizations and schools enforcing effective communication methods when trying to reach the youth. With BJ everything is always based on the word “help” for the next generation of leaders to provide them with an outlet, alternatives, and resources to be able to level up and gain and retain sustainable careers, as they go from childhood to adulthood.

For more information, press only:

PR Contact Name Toya Ball

Phone number (240) 883-7680

Email dailyva@popvaservices.com

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