The Always Giving Back Foundation inspires young Chicagoans from minority backgrounds to develop and pursue their professional goals by providing them with resources to support them on their journey. Take Journee Lockridge, for example. This AGB intern and scholar is doing big things at a young age!
A sophomore at Howard University, Journee is already a published author. Her book Stay Ready is a guide to successfully navigating the transition to college. Journee says her book offers “real and raw advice of what to expect and/or what to avoid during their first semester of college.”
Journee also has been selected to participate in the Forbes Under 30 Scholars program. This honor is given to a diverse group of outstanding college students in America. She will be among 1,000 scholars attending the Forbes Under 30 Summit, a gathering of young entrepreneurs and visionaries in early October 2019.
These accomplishments are nothing new for Journee. At Gwendolyn Brooks High School in Chicago, she served as president of the National Honor Society and also founded a mentorship organization called the Big Sister Project.
What differentiates Journee from others her age is her dedication, drive, and adaptability. We saw those qualities in her when we chose her to participate in our Summer Business Internship, then awarded her an AGB Scholarship her senior year in high school. During her summer with us, Journee learned to be a better communicator and effectively manage her time. She also developed her leadership skills and professional poise.
When she graduates from Howard, Journee looks forward to a career in the financial industry. She’d like to work with Goldman Sachs in New York City, where she would like to become an investment banker.
Eventually she would like to start her own nonprofit organization, teaching youth financial literacy, educating them on financial markets, and how to invest their own money to build their generational wealth.
Journee is a phenomenal young woman who has a vision to make an impact wherever she sets foot. We are so excited about her future. And we can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of more students like Journee.
Year In Review
Community Day of Appreciation:
Reinvesting in our community is extremely important to us. Every year on our anniversary, we celebrate by paying it forward in under-served areas of Chicago. We partner with nonprofit organizations to supply one’s everyday needs through care packages and/or employment advisory through our Community Appreciation Day.
Your Family Comes First:
The AGB Foundation is dedicated to helping minority families in struggling communities improve their financial security and quality of life. Family First provides two types of critical programming: seminars for young minority professionals on a range of business and financial topics; and direct assistance to families of color who are experiencing a crisis.
Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s CEO’s:
The AGB Foundation is working to build a legacy of young minority executives. We are giving them tools to prepare for life after college and the workforce. Meet some of our developing leaders.
Because of You They Can:
You were the solution for our scholars in 2019. Thanks to the support of individuals and businesses, we awarded $20,000+ in scholarships and provided incredible social-emotional care packages for our scholars.
Learn More About the Griffins:
The founders of AGB Investigative Services, Inc. completed Season One of Secure Podcast. Their podcast addresses the intersections of love, family, and entrepreneurship.
Great Gifts for Givers
This year we held nothing back! We moved to a new location. We expanded all of our programs! In celebration of community appreciation day, we stretched beyond state lines. We gifted the community with quarterly family first events. We started the Secure Podcast where our founders voice the importance of family, love, and entrepreneurship. For Chicago youth, we took on more scholars and interns.
Our Annual Holiday Soiree was nothing short of everything we have accomplished in 2019. It was an evening filled with a silent auction, raffles, and more importantly givers.
This holiday season we decided to gift the givers
In the minority community we talk about a lot of things, but not enough about the importance of giving! The Always Giving Back Foundation values those who are culturally competent individuals that not only speak to youth but also lead by example. During our program honored our first Philanthroperneur Award to Keven Stonewall, who has dedicated his life to cancer research and advocacy for Chicago youth.
Then, we had the opportunity to surprise Shawnese Shannon, an AGB Innovative Security Solutions employee, with financial relief this holiday season. Her commitment to the progression of others and vast heart for her family warranted her this award
and more. Last year, she suffered a stroke in the midst of work and refused to leave until her colleague made it in. In the words of Dr. Denitra Griffin, “She is a true blend of strength and kindness, and it’s our pleasure to present this well-earned gift right before the holidays”.
We welcome you to contribute. Help us reach our goal before the new decade begins! Withhold nothing, every dollar counts to help us reach to support our scholarship, internship, and family first programming.
Join us in 2020 for our next event.
Get Your Tickets for the Annual Holiday Soiree’
High school students are looking for real professional experiences that can advance them in their careers and academic endeavours. The Always Giving Back Foundation provides Chicago youth with that and more, such as a completed digital portfolio and social-emotional tools to assist with their journey in college.
Help us to continue investing in our youth by attending our Annual Holiday Soiree’ ! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-holiday-soiree-tickets-79031261631?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=destsearch
CEO to CEO
If you enjoyed last year’s CEO Brunch you won’t want to miss this! From premium coffee, security and marketing last fall to Shark Tank’s CurlMix. Don’t miss out on brunch appetizers, freshly brewed coffee, and business between two CEO’s. Rising entrepreneureres “embrace the ambguity of growth” and meet us at Connect Gallery.
Secure Podcast Register
This is your place for all things love, family, and entrepreneurship!
The Secure Podcast is changing the narrative of Black Chicago, marriage, and entrepreneurship. Empower yourself by tuning into Married-Preneurs, Dr. Denitra & John Griffin Jr.discuss the secrets of expanding one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing businesses, while successfully being married with 4 kids for over 25 years.
The Griffin’s work ethic is impeccable, but the love they spread is twice as impactful. As the first generation in their family to graduate in their family, have a successful marriage, own a successful business they have tips for you. They live their lives giving and this is there gift to you.
Take a sneek peek: https://youtu.be/MFNoyCi__ds
If you believe that “success is intentional” then be the FIRST episode of #FIRSTGENRICH !
AGB Foundation CEO to be Featured on Oct. 2 Entrepreneur Panel
Have you ever wondered how a company seemingly grew overnight? Do you want to learn some key decisions or processes others made to effectively impact growth in their company? Dr. Denitra Griffin, CEO of the Always Giving Back Foundation, will be among five female entrepreneurs answering these questions at a panel on Wednesday, October 2.
The National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO) Chicago invites you to engage with a panel of female business owners who are catapulting their businesses to new levels. These entrepreneurs are leading their companies to remarkable growth after completing the 10,000 Small Businesses program. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn valuable lessons from these growth-minded exectuives when they share what helped them rise to the top!
Journee’s Journey
The Always Giving Back Foundation inspires young Chicagoans from minority backgrounds to develop and pursue their professional goals by providing them with resources to support them on their journey. Take Journee Lockridge, for example. This AGB intern and scholar is doing big things at a young age!
A sophomore at Howard University, Journee is already a published author. Her book Stay Ready is a guide to successfully navigating the transition to college. Journee says her book offers “real and raw advice of what to expect and/or what to avoid during their first semester of college.”
Journee also has been selected to participate in the Forbes Under 30 Scholars program. This honor is given to a diverse group of outstanding college students in America. She will be among 1,000 scholars attending the Forbes Under 30 Summit, a gathering of young entrepreneurs and visionaries in early October 2019.
These accomplishments are nothing new for Journee. At Gwendolyn Brooks High School in Chicago, she served as president of the National Honor Society and also founded a mentorship organization called the Big Sister Project.
What differentiates Journee from others her age is her dedication, drive, and adaptability. We saw those qualities in her when we chose her to participate in our Summer Business Internship, then awarded her an AGB Scholarship her senior year in high school. During her summer with us, Journee learned to be a better communicator and effectively manage her time. She also developed her leadership skills and professional poise.
When she graduates from Howard, Journee looks forward to a career in the financial industry. She’d like to work with Goldman Sachs in New York City, where she would like to become an investment banker.
Eventually she would like to start her own nonprofit organization, teaching youth financial literacy, educating them on financial markets, and how to invest their own money to build their generational wealth.
Journee is a phenomenal young woman who has a vision to make an impact wherever she sets foot. We are so excited about her future. And we can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of more students like Journee.
#BlackPhilanthropyMonth
We often run from obligation, expectation, responsibility, and accountability on the day to day bases. We put things off until tomorrow. We blame others. We don’t see that we can be a resource to the minority community. As the nation becomes more ethnically and racially diverse, it is more important than ever to consider it your responsibility to give back! Given the social and economic challenges the African American community still face today, this effort has never been more important.
It is an obligation to GIVE BACK to your community. It is an expectation to GIVE BACK to your community. It is your responsibility to GIVE BACK to your community. You should be held accountable to GIVE BACK to your community.
Take the Griffins for example! Dr. Denitra Griffin and Mr. John Griffin Jr. Understand the importance of giving back to the community, the BLACK community in particular. They have dedicated their lives to the education, empowerment, and employment of their community. When they see a need they find a solution to rectify the issue at hand, that includes healing one impoverished community at a time.
Without them we would not have had such a HOT summer! Our interns explored the internal business operations of AGB Investigative Services, shadowed multi-million dollar corporations, and left with the confidence they needed to be the leaders of tomorrow. Our scholars were awarded $20,000 and had an opportunity to not only hear Lauren Simmons Speak but get to know her on a personal level. The giving didn’t just stop there we have supported over 300+ families with back to school book-bags, school supplies, and so much more.
YPP was for Me!
Hi world! I am Kaya Thomas, a rising senior, and AGB Summer Business Intern. Last week on July 25, 2019, I attended the Young Professional Panel hosted by the AGB Foundation. After enjoying some appetizers, meeting some of the AGB scholars and hanging out with my fellow interns, I had the pleasure of hearing the YOUNGEST New York Stock Exchange Trader and trailblazer, Lauren Simmons.
The AGB Foundation did a wonderful job seeking out such an amazing young woman to speak to us. I had the pleasure of not only listening to Lauren Simmons speak, but also meeting her. Her story really resonated with me. She spoke about growing up as an introvert who later blossomed into a dynamic young woman. She forced herself to network more and get out of her shell. She was so real about her experiences. Though she worked on the trading floor she surprisingly had a sweet demeanor. In our short conversation about my future plans she actively listened and shared gems I am extremely grateful for.
The night overall was very well organized and enjoyable. Anyone who didn’t come out really missed out on not just free food, but getting to network with some amazing individuals. This was an experience of a lifetime!
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Have a Sun-Splashed Summer!