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PBM Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS OF FAME

  • In 2016, CAPE League took their first week-long retreat by visiting California’s Bay Area. Members visited the  headquarters of Facebook/Instagram for a personal tour and workshop. They did college tours of UC Berkeley and  California College of the Arts. They were treated to a live Golden Gate Warriors game, fun trip to Six Flags and Alvin  Ailey theater performance. They also engaged in a service activity with a pizza party they put together for homeless  youth at a shelter. The retreat was hosted by Oakland Raider, Lorenzo Alexander.
  • PBM initiated a partnership with Microsoft in 2014 that launched with a day-long visit to the corporate offices to meet  executives and experience new technologies. The partnership continues with regular classes that teach programs,  coding and help with computer productivity.
  • In 2013 and 2014, members had the opportunity to have a day long experience at the United States Supreme Court and a private session with U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan
  • We formed a partnership with the National Alliance for African American Athletes. This provided members with an  opportunity to travel to Los Angeles for Watkins Weekend – a filled weekend and awards ceremony celebrating  athletes who are also scholars. The kids also participated in the event in 2014 – 2016 – interviewing athletes, running  the red carpet, having lunch with the organization and attending the Black Tie gala awards ceremony. 
  • From 2007 – 2016, we presented CAPE League Feeds DC. The project was 80% led by CAPE members. We prepared  over 500 meals, delivered to 7 shelters and over 200 people around Washington, DC. 
  • In 2014, CAPE League students had a week-long college tour for Spring Break. They visited 8 major HBCUs in  Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. They ended the trip with a day of outlet shopping and fun trip to  Universal Studios.
  • We incorporated a sports component to the CAPE League. Programming included: football clinics with NFL players  (Vernon Davis, Rodney McDaniels, Usama Young, etc.); a baseball clinic with the MBLPA; Ski Trip to Pennsylvania;  a boxing workshop with Darell Coley; tennis mini-camps; outings to MLB, NBA, WNBA and MLS games; and classes  in Afro-Brazilian martial arts form, Capoeira. In 2016 the kids will engage in a 6-month long golf track
  • We launched our New York City series in 2007. In 2015, we treated members to a special opportunity for the live and final taping of BET’s 106th & Park (our 3rd time). We’ve visited Essence Magazine for a workshop on operating a  major publication. We visited and toured NFL’s Headquarters and enjoyed a presentation, meetings with execs & NFL  gifts. The kids also saw Broadway shows “The Lion King” and “Hairspray”.
  • For the on-going CAPE group project, the Arts & Culture Magazine, members covered various events and  interviewed a number of professionals and public figures. PBM granted one student a professional SLR digital  camera and 8 weeks of private photography classes. 
  • We’ve taken kids to Kennedy Center, Verizon Center, Shakespeare Theater & Warner Theater for performances,  festivals & other events 30+ times – including a master class with Dance Theater of Harlem; VIP Suite experiences for  The Nutcracker; a master session with country music star, Alison Krause; a Taylor Swift concert and opening nights of  Cats, Annie & the Wizard of Oz!
  • CAPE League held an entrepreneurship component. Youth learned to create business ideas, write a business plan &  develop marketing strategies. Members went to New York to buy supplies and embark on their business. 
  • High achieving CAPE Leaguers were allowed to participate with the Grand Preview screening/party for Nickelodeon’s  Halo Awards. Our kids discussed the impact of youth doing service in the community, networked with several  Congressmen and Senators, and even had a chance to meet Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey
  • We partnered with The Jewels & Society of Collegiate Black Men –programs that provide workshops in life skills,  peer relationships and goal-setting. The girls participated in a retreat at Howard U. to experience college life. In 2010,  we added SMILE (a self-esteem series for girls) and sent the boys to 2 manhood workshops
  • CAPE kids launched the CAPE CD project. It engaged them in lyric writing, production workshops, piano/voice  lessons, studio sessions/ workshops, on-air radio interviews, and a live performance at an NFL event.
  • Our DC/Baltimore Exploration Experience included tours of two major universities, a VIP screening of a Disney  Film, a trip to the Blacks in Wax Museum, the Baltimore Aquarium and a visit to the Annapolis Naval Academy
  • A CAPE family was selected, as one of 5 families, for Wizards “12 Days of Holiday Cheer”. The family received a  surprise home visit from Wizards star, John Wall, cheerleaders, team execs and other players – delivering a caravan  of gifts. In the following year, two CAPE League families were selected.
  • CAPE League marched in the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and participated in various workshops  to learn about the history and current socio-political issues. CAPE also attended the Freedom Sounds Festival to  celebrate the opening weekend of the Smithsonian Museum of African American Culture & History
  • We’ve established partnerships with 40+ organizations to include: Automotive Rhythms; National Association of  Black Females in Entertainment; Hip Hop 4 Health; Concerned Black Men; Educational Advancement Alliance;  Jersey Mike’s; International Spy Museum, Sony; Washington Nationals, etc.. Through a partnership with Cardinal  Bank, members opened savings accounts (deposit donated by bank) with a workshop on savings.
  • Washington Improv Theater hosted a 9 month series of acting classes with team building workshops. 
  • CAPE League was invited to participate in a private basketball clinic with the WNBA Washington Mystics. To  complement the opportunity – the day was featured on MTV’s the Real World as one of their featured tasks.
  • GenerationX hosted our kids for an event honoring community service leaders. Members prepared care packages for  soldiers and met Disney stars Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) & Madison Pettis (Corey in the House)
  • CAPE League was invited to a special event to hear Russell Simmons speak about financial empowerment & was  extended VIP privileges for the night.
  • PBM Director, Tracy Press, participated in: The United Nations and Hip Hop, a historical event presented by the  UN. The program invited 5 community leaders who are active in the movement to utilize entertainment as a tool for  positive change, to address an audience regarding how to align with the mission of the UN. 
  • Through our partnership and experiences w/ Essence Magazine and Black Enterprise, the kids were able to learn about  event planning, participate in a fashion show, host recording artists and even receive stipends for their participation.
  • CAPE members were invited to a Washington Wizards MLK Day interactive panel discussion for 30 area youth. The  event allowed students to talk about their dreams with local professionals from various backgrounds; including  journalists, doctors, politicians, service workers and Wizards player, Hilton Armstrong. 
  • CAPE Kids spent artist days at XM Radio and had the chance to be live on-air and did the first, XM youth led  interview with recording artists, Pretty Ricky. We also had an exclusive performance session and meet and greet with  Atlantic Records and two of their new artists. We’ve also done workshops at WPGC-FM and WHBC-AM.
  • We provide occasional special dinners and lunches – introducing members to sushi, Spanish cuisine, fondue style, etc.  The purpose is to talk to members while exposing them to various cuisines, fine dining & cultural experiences.
  • CAPE League teens were allowed to participate directly with Howard Homecoming – preparing a Youth  empowerment panel; attending a film & TV event; and working with the Howard Celebrity Basketball Game
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