Nashville program gives teens experience in business world By Getahn Ward Nashville Banner   NASHVILLE, TN - For Sam Kirk, heading up CES & Associates Inc. is more than just a job -- it is a calling to give young African Americans an early taste of business. Kirk, 37, who is also a church minister, heard the call to start CES more than four years ago. He already had spent 17 years in business -- part of that time training college students to sell books for The Southwestern Co. ``What I began to notice was that at the college age, you were catching them too late,'' he says. ``We wanted to create a program that would allow young people -- inner-city urban kids -- an opportunity to see success at an early age.'' Now in its fifth year, CES -- Creating An Environment of Success -- is one of several local initiatives aimed at grooming the next generation of African American entrepreneurs. The company offers young people experience operating their own business, such as selling baked goods or candy. Enrollment in its youth programs have grown from seven participants at its inception to about 100. Some participants say the program's impact goes beyond teaching business concepts and skills. ``It helped me with my attitude,'' says Steve Beach, 13, an eighth-grader at East Middle School. ``I used to get in trouble a lot at school -- get suspended. The program has helped me.'' Statewide, the number of African American-owned businesses increased from 10,423 in 1987 to 14,920 in 1992, according to the latest census data. However, experts say factors such as lower education levels, smaller social networks and a higher poverty rate have held down the number of black business owners. ``Coming from this background makes it less likely for people to start businesses, irrespective of race,'' says Paul D. Reynolds, coordinator of the Entrepreneurial Research Consortium. The national group conducts studies on entrepreneurship issues. A banner on the wall of CES' head office and training center at 3518 West Hamilton reads: ``Empowering the Community: Committed to Building a Long-term Future for Our Next Generation.'' Another sign carries the name and motto of the Youth About Business program: ``Yes We Can!'' CES has three programs: -- Youth About Business offers practical training in entrepreneurship through a yearlong curriculum and hands-on experience. Students sell such items as greeting cards and candy to raise money for different projects. They also attend weekend instructional sessions led by Kirk and other CES staff. -- The National Mentorship Program allows students to spend up to three days at various black-owned businesses during the summer. About 60 area businesses, ranging from Dr. Kelli Turner-Molette's dentistry practice to Little Gray's Bar-B-Que, participate. -- The Work-Site Management Program aims at creating business training operations where youth can learn about day-to-day management. The company uses Sweet Occasions Bakery Shop on Deaderick Street for training. Participants in the Youth About Business program are divided into two age groups -- 10- to 13-year-olds and 14- to 18-year-olds. The groups meet twice a month for business instruction. A $25 fee is charged for enrollment in the program, and the company raises additional funds through various means to support each participant. CES has been supported primarily through donations, Kirk says. Major contributors have included Tennessee Managed Care Network, Dr. Kelli Turner-Molette, Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Belmont Church and Lord's House Ministry. Kirk is pastor of Lord's House Ministry, which meets at CES' offices. Kirk claims the company experienced average annual revenue growth of about 80 percent over the past three years and has a budget of about $350,000 this year. CES & Associates also has grown from a one-employee operation to having three full-time and four part-time employees. Program participants Steve Beach, Chastity Rucker and Andrew Dean say Youth About Business has made a difference in their lives. In his four years with the program, Beach has spent summers working with Little Gray's Bar-B-Que, Miles Beepers and Ideal Body Shop. He talks about owning a business someday -- in addition to his dream of being a professional basketball player. Beach also credits the program with improving his performance in school. His grade-point average has gone from D to B, he says, noting that the program awards scholarships to participants with an average of B or better. ``He (Kirk) tried to explain to me that you have to have good grades to make it to college and get drafted to the NBA,'' Beach says. After spending last summer working with Dr. Turner-Molette's practice, Rucker, 15, says she wants a career in dentistry. ``I saw the different procedures she does and learned all about the business,'' says the Hume Fogg Magnet sophomore. Dean, 17, president of Youth About Business, is in his last year with the program. The Martin Luther King Magnet student plans to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta in the fall. Dean wants to be a chemical engineer, but he says Youth About Business has made him better at marketing himself and has given him an understanding of business operations. He plans to help start CES' first College Students About Business program at Morehouse. Kirk notes that the program is not all business. Participants attend group activities, such as skating and taking trips to Gatlinburg, the Bahamas and other destinations. The youth raise money for the trips by selling items such as candy, baked goods and a YAB-created VIP card. The discount cards feature several local African American businesses. Says Kirk: ``We teach them how to earn something and see the reward.'' Visit the Nashville Banner, on the World Wide Web.