Thirty years ago, Black Entertainment Television launched a groundbreaking program called Teen Summit. It was the brainchild of University of Illinois alum Sheila Johnson. The weekly hour-long program featured teens talking about youth pregnancy, family relationships, and other challenges in a dignified way. The program also featured interviews from athletes, artists, and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. After selling BET to Viacom, Johnson became the first Black woman billionaire in the U.S. She owns resorts and several pro-sports teams.
Decades after the original Teen Summit, Johnson is giving her blessing and generosity for Illinois Public Media and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to launch Teen Summit 2.0 The Remix.
IPM’s Kimberly Schofield spoke with Dr. Malaika McKee, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Education, and Reginald Hardwick, News Director at Illinois Public Media, about this new video podcast. Both serve as executive producers for the program.
Teen Summit 2.0, The Remix
Illinois Public Media and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are looking for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 residing in East Central Illinois. Students chosen for the position will be paid $20 per hour. If interested, click here to apply with a brief questionnaire and parental documents.