Showing Hearts Foundation
Youthpreneur

Youthpreneur Summit 2026: Idea to Impact Recap

By Showing Hearts Foundation · April 25, 2026
All pitch competition winners holding their checks at Youthpreneur Summit 2026

On April 25th, we held the 8th Annual Youthpreneur Summit at York College in Queens — a one-day experience designed to empower youth and young adults through exposure, community, and real-world insight.

It was a wonderful day for the youth filled with panel discussions on entrepreneurship and career opportunities, financial literacy, networking with vendors, and pitching business ideas solving real problems.

Speaker panel on stage at Youthpreneur Summit 2026 at York College

Our Speakers

We were proud to feature an incredible lineup of guest speakers across industries:

Courtney Lawrence — Campaign Director, 28RowCreators

Terrence Lawrence — Founder & CEO, WMD Consulting

Imade Omozore — Founder, MadeByImade

Keith Kirkland — Award-Winning Haptic Designer, Founder of The H9 Co.

Tianna Robinson — Award-Winning Publicist, Founder, Intertwined Agency

Stacey Pettice — Executive of Institutional Relationships, United Church Funds

Amy Simon — Founder & Creative Director, Allure Art Academy

Lisa Robertson — Yoga Practitioner & Business Owner

Carlos Gaviria — Founder, InstaHomes Realty LLC

Ronell Trotman — Author, Founder of Cash Class Academy

A Day of Learning & Community

Arrival + Check-In

Music, light bites, networking, and time to explore vendor and career tables set the tone for an energizing day.

Youth checking in at Youthpreneur Summit 2026

Vendor & Career Tables

Students explored tables from organizations and entrepreneurs, connecting with community leaders and learning about real businesses.

Youth at vendor table at Youthpreneur Summit 2026
Students exploring vendor tables at Youthpreneur Summit 2026

Breakout Sessions

Smaller, interactive sessions gave attendees the chance to go deep — asking questions and engaging directly with speakers on public speaking, entrepreneurship, AI, financial literacy, and the creator economy.

Breakout session at Youthpreneur Summit 2026

Meet Our Pitch Competition Winners

Youth stepped up and pitched their business ideas live for a share of up to $10,000 in cash prizes. Congratulations to every one of our winners — your ideas, your courage, and your hustle are exactly why we do this work.

Youth pitching at Youthpreneur Summit 2026
Pitch competition winner receiving their check
Pitch competition winner receiving their check
Pitch competition winner receiving their check
Pitch competition winner receiving their check
Pitch competition winner receiving their check
Pitch competition winner receiving their check
All pitch competition winners at Youthpreneur Summit 2026

Thank You

Special shoutout to all our amazing sponsors who help make this possible. We can't wait to see students and their big ideas next year. #BecauseWeCare

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