Local Non-Profit Launches Buzz It Forward Campaign for Youth
South Florida Times · Staff Report · December 8, 2016
Pictured: Tina Brown, Executive Director of the Overtown Youth Center, and Michael “Ommy” Caraballo, Founder and President of Talent4Change.
MIAMI — The Talent4Change Foundation launched its ‘Buzz It Forward' campaign by debuting its signature initiative, The Buzz Boxx, during Art Basel week. The Buzz Boxx is a container-based barbershop designed to be placed at various locations that offers grooming and mentoring to young men ages 7–17 who live in poverty-stricken areas.
The mission of the foundation is to inspire, unite and empower children in underserved communities. “The purpose of Buzz It Forward is to help kids look better so they can feel better and in turn do better,” founder Michael Caraballo said. “It's an incentive-based reward system that we've created to encourage kids to keep doing better, whether that be doing better in school and/or participating in community service.”
The launch included a ribbon cutting ceremony and an official presentation by special guests including Tina Brown, executive director of the Overtown Youth Center. “The Buzz Boxx concept is truly an attractive and innovative concept for positive youth engagement,” Brown said. “I am hopeful that the Buzz Boxx will spark entrepreneurial energy within young people. It's the coolest idea I've seen all year.”
‘Buzz It Forward' is a component of the ‘Do Better Project' created by Amir Youssef, program director for Talent4Change and owner of the Chop Shop Barbershop. The long-term plan is to place a Buzz Boxx in underserved communities nationwide, where it will remain for one year at a time.