The GBM principle is built on promoting unity in the family, community and abroad through partnership with teen and young adult organizations, educational institutions, corporations, community leaders, churches and the U.S. Armed Services.

The GBM Teen Summit has brought together over 30 community organizations and churches, as well as over 500 teens and young adults, from all across the country, from Sarasota to Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and Washington, during the three – day event.

The GBM STOMP THE VIOLENCE STEP-Off is an incredible, “No-Standing Room” community event that provides a platform and outlet for young people, the business sector, educators, and community leaders to vocalize their concerns about issues such as: the increasing crime rate, gun violence, teen pregnancy and drug infestation within our communities. People of all races and ages have come from across the state to take a stand with breath-taking performances and uplifting, motivational messages by celebrities, sororities, fraternities, professionals, Bay area step teams and spoken-word artists. GBM also provides incredible and unique opportunities for many aspiring teens and young adult artists, musicians, event host, choirs, bands, dancers, poets and mime artists to showcase their phenomenal talents and skills on a larger platform and venue, such as Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Over 400 young people attended the last “GBM Teen Idol” competition that was held in the Grand Foyer of Van Wezel. For many minority teens, it’s their only chance to visit Sarasota’s Purple Gem.

Additionally, many of our phenomenal teens and young adults have been given an opportunity to sing on national and local television as a part on the GBM Community Choir. The group has been featured on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel Television Show, the Educational Channel, ABC 7 and many church programs, community events, and music festivals.

GBM has also successfully created an amazing pool of experts and mentors to assist teens with entrepreneurship, leadership, career skills, and character development through the establishment of the GBM Professional Network. The GBM Network includes a host of educators, celebrity artists, motivational speakers, attorneys, law enforcement, corporate & business owners, authors, sports figures, community leaders, music producers, television producers, pastors and corporate heads. Teens often develop and foster long-lasting business collaborations and productive relationships with professionals during and after the GBM summit’s conclusion.

GBM activities that promote entrepreneur and career development are:

• VIP Celebrity Mixers

• GBM Entrepreneur Forum

• GBM E – Power Clusters

• Career Mixer

• Scholarship & Internship Expo

• Shark Tank Pitch

• GBM Teen & Adult Advisory Councils

• GBM FunTech Fair

GBM participants have come face-to-face and shaken hands with some of the entertainment industry’s most brilliant and creative minds, authors, entrepreneurs, film producers and artist such as: Will Packer, Fonzworth Bentley, Cey Adams, Delatorro McNeal, Syesha Mercado, Kemba Smith-Prada, Dr. Farrah Gray and B.K. Jackson. In additions, to city officials, corporate heads, business owners, pastors and educators, including: Mayor Atwell-City of Sarasota, Dr. Larry Thompson – Ringling College, Victor Young – Owner, BPW, Chief Hidden Eagle of the Yamassee Nation, Jeff Mausby – Sarasota County, Commissioners Shaw & Mason, Sheriff Knight, Superintendent Lori White, Jeanne Cochran-Film Commissioner and the list goes on and on.

The Shark Tank participants and the Teen Council were given the enormous opportunity to converse and share lunch in the Boardroom with the co-owner and president of BMW Sarasota & Lamborghini, Victor Young. They were also given of a back lot tour of both dealerships and ride in one of the Lamborghini’s. Unanimously, the teens have described the experience as head-spinning and life-changing.

Exposing teens to the use of technology and innovation beyond social networking is a continuous goal of GBM.  Workshops and lectures update teens and parents with the latest trends in technology and social media.  The GBM Summit has also provided invaluable information on safe social media networking, the use of electronic media in obtaining scholarships and internships, preparation of college application mission statements and employment tools.

Teens are also informed about the abuses of the Internet, sexting, protecting their online identity, and are reminded that electronic media is not a replacement for meaningful one-on-one relationships with family, peers and colleagues.  Through texting, Twitter, Instagram, Google Hangout, YouTube, MyGBM.net and interactive media presentations given during the GBM Summit, teens are encouraged to use online media to expand their educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.