CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago teens met with mentors today at a conference in Grand Crossing in an effort to keep them busy and out of trouble.
Actor and model Corey Anderson was one of the mentors helping 500 young students at the The fourth annual Champs Born 2 Win conference sponsored by C.H.A.M.P.S. Male Mentoring Program. The program helps African American and Latino youth get employment exposure, network, build relationships and support one another through creative endeavors.
"Once we network and build, jobs and everything else will come," Anderson said.
Christopher Hill, a mentor enrolled in a professional IT course, wanted to come back to the conference to give back to students and show them that they need to put in effort if they want to be successful. Smart choices are vital, he said.
"You can't be out here on the streets selling drugs, you gotta be successful because as black men, we already have stripes on our backs," Hill said.
As part of the program, Comer College Prep freshman Demarcus Andersen helped design a new Nike shoe at the company's headqaurters.
"Even though I helped design it, I have not seen it yet so I am susrprised to see what kind of ideas they decided to take and put in the shoe," Andersen said.
He said he plans to have fun this summer, but not too much — preparing for his future is important and is what the mentoring program has taught him.
"If I want to be successful, I need to set myself up now," he said.
The conference was a day to celebrate the mentorship, empowerment, and inspiration from the mentors to the young men. Live performances, workshops and networking were part of the event. Jordan Brand's Founding President, Mr. Larry Miller was the featured speaker and mentors from past years attended to support the cause and the community.