The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) guides students through fulfilling their American dream. Once again, we at Broadway Stages are proud to sponsor this great opportunity! The 2025 6-week after-school entrepreneurship class is available to Staten Island high school students in grades 9 through 12 from public, Catholic, or private schools.

The ultimate goal of all YEA! classes is for each student to successfully launch their own business. This is no small feat. To achieve this goal, YEA! provides a focused introduction to the business world that bridges the business and educational communities.

The unique program combines a dynamic, proven curriculum with the experiences of local industry leaders, community members, educators, entrepreneurs, and mentors. Learning about real-world business experiences and how to create their own businesses is invaluable as the students consider their future career choices.

By way of the program, students will brainstorm business ideas leading to a formalized business plan. The students will pitch their business plan to local investors and potentially advance to a national competition. Once the young entrepreneurs legally register their businesses, they will launch and run their own businesses or social movements. When they graduate from the program, they will be equipped with lifelong leadership and business skills. Check out the National YEA! website for more information and success stories.

YEA! 2025 classes will meet from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from December 2024 – April 2025. Classes are scheduled to take place at the Chamber’s office. If you are interested in participating or know of someone who is, start the application process today by clicking here. The application deadline is Friday, November 8. If you want to share your business wisdom with aspiring young entrepreneurs and help them get started on the path to success, please get in touch with Danielle Wiseman at (718) 727-1900 ext. 1001 or e-mail at dwiseman@sichamber.com.

Broadway Stages is honored to invest in the student participants and our community as a sponsor of the Staten Island YEA! Program. We are excited to help these young adults on their journey to fulfilling their very own American dream. We know that whatever the participants do, their experience will enrich their future and lead to a better city and progress for all.