Riverview Gardens High School held its third annual all-male summit, "Project Manhood," on April 2 to provide mentorship and professional development for its students.

The event brought together district leaders, community partners and positive male role models. The summit is part of an ongoing effort by the Riverview Gardens School District to educate, inform and empower young men to become the next generation of leaders.

All male students in attendance at the school participated in the summit. Keynote speakers included Ken Jenkins, a successful entrepreneur and pastor, and Lawrence Johnson, a Riverview Gardens High School graduate who played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints. Both men shared personal stories regarding resilience and achieving success beyond their circumstances.

The day featured a diverse range of breakout sessions and workshops. Students participated in discussions regarding:

Emotional health and self-love.
The transition to manhood and setting life goals.
Gun safety.
Substance abuse prevention.
Workforce development and entrepreneurship training.

The summit also included a vendor fair to connect students with local resources and career paths.

Project Manhood was supported by several regional organizations and labor unions. Sponsors included The Little Bit Foundation, Better Family Life and Clement Auto Group. Additional support was provided by the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.