(Washington, DC)  The District of Columbia’s Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute (MYLI) will host its first annual “Honoring our Heroes” Banquet at the Howard University’s Armour J. Blackburn Center, located at 2400 6th Street, NW, on Thursday, July 26, 2007.  The program pays homage to former Youth Mayors, government officials, community organizations, and businesses that have continued the vision of promoting youth development in the District. 
 
Bruce Johnson, television anchor from WUSA 9 News, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.  Guest speakers include Mayor Adrian Fenty, Department of Employment Services Director Summer Spencer, and Nicole Newman, the 2006-2007 Youth Mayor.

WHAT:	The MYLI’s First Annual Banquet, “Honoring our Heroes”
WHERE:	Armour J. Blackburn Center,  Howard University 2400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC
WHEN:	Thursday, July 26, 2007, 6 pm - 9 pm

The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute (MYLI) is a year-round program designed to train District youth in the concepts of leadership and self-development. The program consists of an innovative four-level tier: Alpha level, which focuses on personal growth and development skills; Beta level, which focuses on community development; Delta level, which deals with work readiness, life skills, and career exploration; and Omega level, which concentrates on practicum and internships. For more information on the MYLI and its first annual banquet, contact the DC Department of Employment Services’ Office of Youth Programs at (202) 698-3492.