ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., July 23, 2026—Dozens of high school students from northeastern North Carolina received insights on STEM careers and strategies to succeed in life at a recent youth conference at the Rocky Mount Event Center. The Youth STEAM Summit featured exhibits and presentations from businesses, nonprofit organizations and colleges and universities with STEM- and agriculture-related missions and curricula.
The event was organized as a community service by the nonprofit Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project (SFLRP) that Roanoke Cooperative helped establish in 2013. The STEAM Summit, held annually and free to attendees, is designed to connect young people to science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics, and to help them identify career options. Workshops included the Be Pro Be Proud virtual reality experience, the University of Mount Olive mobile lab, an equine/animal science session, and an agromedicine presentation.
The Summit’s keynote speaker was Kenston Griffin, chief executive of Dream Builders Communication Inc. in Huntersville, N.C. In an interactive, energetic presentation, Griffin shared strategies for goal setting and sustaining a positive mindset for career and personal success.
“The Youth STEAM Summit was a powerful reminder that when passionate educators, learners and community members come together, extraordinary growth and lasting impact are possible,” Griffin said of the conference.
The July 16 event was sponsored by CoBank, the Laughing Gull Foundation, the Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, Roanoke Cooperative and SFLRP. Including parents, the Summit drew more than 100 attendees from throughout eastern North Carolina.
“We believe it is crucial that young people in our region have a greater understanding of the traditional STEM fields, along with – given the nature of our region – agriculture and forestry. That includes potential career opportunities,” said Reba Green-Holley, SFLRP’s youth program coordinator. “I felt our presenters and exhibitors did a fantastic job sharing information to enlighten the students and their parents.”
SFLRP was created to help North Carolina families – primarily but not exclusively African American – increase the income and asset value of their forestland. The program also encourages forest health, land retention and the opportunity for families to create intergenerational wealth. Those interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to visit its website at: www.recforestry.org.
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