Coffee with a Purpose
We recognize that creating an inclusive and welcoming environment is essential to empowering our young people. “Coffee with a Purpose” was created to broadcast virtual conversations with youth from across the state, offering a platform to explore a range of meaningful topics, crucial to the success of their future. These productive conversations will enable us to listen, understand, and take appropriate actions to ensure a brighter, more equitable future for all of Michigan’s youth.
- From the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) equality statement
Join us on October 4 at 9 AM! In the final conversation of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and YOUth series, a panel of Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) youth will discuss challenges, concerns, and the changes they wish to see and how it shapes their hopes for the future. Join as co-moderators McKea Cooper-Miller, Youth Solutions Manager of Program Success East, and L'Tonya Felder, JMG Specialist from Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, lead the panel through this important and impactful discussion that will be broadcast live, via Zoom, from Pershing High School.
Meet the JMG panel, in order as pictured above, who will be participating in this informative and collaborative discussion:
Arielle McCurrie, 17, is currently a senior at Pershing High School. She prides herself in being kind and has plans to become a firefighter when she graduates high school. She is hoping to make a difference in her community as she loves helping others.
Sarah Jones-Moody, 20, is a JMG Alumni from Pershing High School. She loves reading sci-fi novels when she isn't busy running her styling business, Locs by Sarah. She plans to one day open her own restaurant and go back to school to become a therapist.
Marquan Oliver, 17, is currently in his senior year at Pershing High School. After graduation, he plans to attend college to get a degree in music, specializing in vocals. In his spare time, you can find Marquan having fun with his husky, Kane.
MD Kolil, 16, is a senior at Pershing High School. He is Bengali, born in the US, and his family are immigrants from Bangladesh. He loves being funny, has a great sense of humor, and he enjoys working in teams. He plans to attend Wayne State University in Detroit after graduation.
DeAnthony Martin, 18, is a JMG Alumni from Pershing High School. He is a model, a social media influencer with over 41 thousand followers, and also has plans to attend AMDA College of the Performing Arts in California.
We look forward to the opportunity to engage in another invaluable hour of uninterrupted listening and learning, gaining insights from the vibrant voices of our youth.
Since its inception, Coffee with a Purpose has been one of my favorite initiatives! If you want to serve young people, if you want to create a better tomorrow, you need to truly LISTEN to what our future leaders have to say about what is important to them. This format does just that! Guaranteed to be the best hour of your day, week, and month!
Manager of Program Success North, Youth Solutions
Previous Jobs for Michigan's Graduates Specialist
Recordings of Our Past Events
Coffee with a Purpose Part 2 of a 3 Part Series Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and YOUth
May 16, 2023
Part 1: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and YOUth
February 16, 2023
YOUth and the Future of Careers in Energy
October 20, 2022
Youth Discuss Mental Health and the Impact of Social Emotional Learning
May 12, 2022
Change Makers: Empowering YOUth through Civic Engagement
February 16, 2022
Unique Opportunities in Nontraditional Careers:
A Youth Discussion
October 6, 2021
Mental Health Awareness:
A Youth Perspective
May 27, 2021
The Pandemic's Effect on Youth Disengagement from Education and Employment
March 23, 2021
Youth Leadership Development and Civic Engagement
February 8, 2021
Striving for Racial Equity: Youth Call to Action
Part 3 of a 3-Part Webinar Series
November 10, 2020
Striving for Racial Equity: Youth Voice on Education and Employment
Part 2 of a 3-Part Webinar Series
September 30, 2020
Striving for Racial Equity: Youth Perspectives, Concerns, and Calls to Action
Part 1 of a 3-Part Webinar Series
August 13, 2020
COVID-19: The Pandemic's Impact on Michigan Youth
June 24, 2020