Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams to speak at Oct. 1 Opportunity Youth Summit

Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams to speak at Oct. 1 Opportunity Youth Summit

~Professional athlete and inspirational speaker to talk about second chances with audience of young people disconnected from work and school~

TAMPA, FL – CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas announced today that former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams will be a featured speaker at the upcoming one-day Opportunity Youth Summit on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in Tampa.

Williams is a former NBA All-Star and Founder of The Rebound, a substance abuse therapy program to help those in need find recovery in their own lives through outdoor adventure and exercise. Despite many life setbacks, Williams’ ultimate redemption is to help others in need to prosper and thrive.

“As someone who has experienced and overcome many of the challenges these young people face, I know communities can work together to help them reconnect with their potential. I’m looking forward to speaking with business leaders and educators in Tampa Bay to spark new ideas that bring these young people back into school and the workforce,” said Jayson Williams.

The event will be held at the Tampa Marriott Water Street in downtown Tampa from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attendees are asked to register online for a day of programming that will focus on strategies to get “opportunity youth” back in school or the local workforce.

Federal agencies define “opportunity youth” as people between 16 and 24 who are disconnected from school and work. CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas conducted research in 2023 and found 26,100 young people who meet this criteria, part of a nationwide trend recognized in Public Health Reports for the risk this societal disconnection poses to their emotional, behavioral, and physical health. Beyond the consequences for them individually, young people who are disconnected from employment and education “also represent a loss of human capital, with high social and economic costs.”

The Opportunity Youth Workforce Summit will provide attendees with valuable insights into Tampa Bay workforce trends centered around these young people. Experts will share research on population growth in the region, and businesses will have the opportunity to discuss target populations to meet their workforce needs.

Jayson Williams joins speakers like nationally known youth motivational poet, Nate Howard and award-winning business leader from Tampa, Gary Hartfield who will be emceeing the event.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available to businesses and organizations interested in supporting this effort. Sponsorship packages are available online.

Additional details about the event will be posted online.

About CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas

Effective July 1, 2024, CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is the designated local workforce development board serving Hillsborough County and Pinellas County. CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is governed by a board of directors whose members are appointed by a consortium of Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEOs) from each county commission.

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is an equal-opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers listed may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is the direct service provider for various workforce programs which are supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $39,085,000 with 96% federally funded (Updated annually, as of August 2024).

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