Roanoke Valley and James River Chapters of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. held this year’s Teen Leadership Conference in Richmond, VA. Nearly 800 attendees attended the 72nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Region Teen Leadership Conference held on June 19-22, 2025, at the Richmond Convention Center. This exciting event provided teenage members with an invaluable experience focused on growth, leadership, and community.
The Teen Leadership Conference is a unique annual gathering where teens come together to participate in workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions designed to develop leadership skills, encourage community service and foster personal growth. This year’s theme “Welcome to the Yard: An HBCU Experience” highlighted the historically significant movements and cultural icons that have shared the legacy of African American excellence, leadership, and resilience. Teens participated in a college fair visiting and speaking with a variety of institutions of learning to include Hampton University, Virginia Tech, Washington and Lee University, and Virginia Commonwealth University to name a few. Teens were provided hands on community service where youth participated in CPR workshops hosted by the American Heart Association, built Little Free Library book boxes for libraries, and assembled prosthetics for amputees in other countries. Exciting event guest speakers included: Caressa Caeron, Former Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia who shared her journey as a leader and being a role model; Navia Foster of the Greensboro International Civil Rights Center & Museum on how arts serve as both a reflection and a driver for cultural identity; and Rear Admiral George Bresnihan of the United States Navy who challenged teens to actively seek opportunities for growth and keep advancing. Teens also attended workshops on topics ranging from college admissions, financing education, nutrition and health, skin care, teen sextortion, and more. Additionally, Roanoke’s very own Kianna Price Marshall served as the Gala Emcee as more than 120 high school seniors among the region were recognized including Roanoke Valley Chapter Teen President Chelsea Pearson Maldonado. Over the weekend, teens enjoyed some down time and visited Kings Dominion Amusement and Water Park. The event culminated with a Sunday worship service where Minister James Pullings of Richmond, Virginia uplifted the next generation of leaders and the regions first every worship band along with thirty-teen choir members led by Choir Director, Brandle Kelso expressed their faith and sung praises through music.
In 1938, the late Marion Stubbs Thomas founded Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Twenty mothers came together to discuss creating an organization to provide social, cultural, and educational opportunities for youth between the ages of 2 and 19. Jack and Jill now boast 252 chapters nationwide, representing more than 40,000 family members. Each chapter plans annual activities guided by a five-point program: cultural awareness, educational development, health (education and advocacy), civic (legislative advocacy and service), and social/recreational engagement.
To learn more about Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Mid-Atlantic Region visit Mid-Atlantic Region – www.jackandjillinc.org or for more information about the local Roanoke Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. please call 540-580-6097.
