The Privileged Society sponsors summer enrichment program, readies for Summer Pitch Party

The Privileged Society, a nonprofit to Prestige Consultancy LLC in Selma, is facilitating their first entrepreneurial training for youth from June 25 to July 20.

This first session, being held at Gospel Tabernacle, is teaching youth how to take their ideas and opportunity and turn them into profitable businesses. The first Pitch Party can be viewed live or virtually on July 7.

One of the set goals is for the young entrepreneurs to become certified when they reach the qualifications. Students of all ages will move through five stages of “the pitch,” with another set goal of reaching their full skill sets within themselves, while complimenting the circles that connect them, their network. 

All workshop presenters are existing business owners and youth participants. Some will play the role of judge at The Pitch Party.  One of the youth participants who owns A Sip of Happiness was inspired by watching his mom who is a small business owner in Selma of Happiness Nutrition. He wants to be able to be mobile with his business, however, and package his trademarked deliciousness.

Dauntae King, also a presenter and local business owner of Kingwood Financial, is so excited about the training program that he will definitely make another appearance soon in support of young entrepreneurs. 

Besides the Pitch Party, long term, the community should notice a shift in the atmosphere for the young people it serves because the founder and president wants to also work with and collaborate with school systems and other organizations. 

“My job is to give them the tools they need to develop and succeed,” stated Privileged and Prestige founder and president Keshee Smith, who is also CEO at Rural Health Medical Program, Inc. “I believe it takes multiple organizations to help do this. It takes the village,” she expounded. “We want to know the bright ideas of our young entrepreneurs and help them monetize them.”

So, what is the difference between Privilege, the nonprofit, and Prestige, the for-profit? Prestige provides services for adults who can afford it. Privileged teaches youth. 

“It is my way of giving back to my community that helped me,” said Smith. 

Prestige Consultancy, LLC is for adults, offering assessments to help new businesses and supporting existing businesses on how to wade through red tape and bureaucracy —teaching people how to make business make sense for them, including some outsourcing if necessary. 

“For example,” said Smith, “maybe to afford health insurance, a struggling business can adjust their need for full time employees in certain areas, including employing retainers.”

July 7 is the official launch of Prestige Consultancy. Some party goers who register will receive an Official Watch Box filled with some very nice party “goodies.”

Registration for either party style, virtual or in-person, can be found on Facebook under the Privilege or Prestige pages. 

“I speak to and present workshops to adults all the time,” said Smith, “but, getting up in front of children and capturing their attention was different. It was no small feat. I can hardly wait to see them all blossom and succeed.”