Sen. Matthews announces entrepreneurship program for area youth; field trip this Saturday

State Sen. Kevin Matthews is encouraging North Tulsa young people to take advantage of a program to help them learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other skills and how they can tap into those to become entrepreneurs.  As part of that, he’s inviting boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in a field trip to Tulsa’s Hardesty Center Fab Lab this Saturday, March 7, at 9 a.m.   

“I believe building a better future for north Tulsa will center on cultural tourism and entrepreneurship.  This area was once known as the Black Wall Street,” said Matthews, D-Tulsa.  “We need to revive that spirit.

That’s why I began a program called Future Leaders and Business Owners.  Our focus is to teach youth about entrepreneurship, public speaking, meeting skills and leadership skills.”

As part of that, Matthews has organized Saturday’s trip to Fab Lab, which provides community access to advanced manufacturing and digital fabrication tools for learning skills developing inventions, creating businesses, and producing personalized products.

Those going on the field trip are asked to gather at the Matthews Business Center at 240 East Apache Saturday morning ahead of the 9 a.m. departure.  On subsequent Saturdays, the mobile Fab Lab will come to the Matthews Business Center so more youth can learn about the program.

“Too many of our youth engage in high risk behaviors that can derail their lives, like gang violence and teen pregnancy.  I wanted to help provide positive, supervised activities that will show them the possibilities within their reach to become entrepreneurs, and through that, create a better community for all who live here,” Matthews said.  “I want to express my thanks to Nathan Pritchett, director of Fab Lab, for visiting me at the Capitol to offer young constituents this opportunity and give my thanks to Brandi Dixon for an awesome tour of the facility ahead of this Saturday’s field trip.”