On February 24, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa) hosted its ninth annual Suit Up & Show Up Leadership Retreat. We were excited to sponsor the event and had several team members participate as volunteers, helping to provide leadership skills and resources to young people in underserved communities.

About Suit Up & Show Up

The Suit Up & Show Up Leadership Retreat brought together young men, aged 16 to 24, to focus on goal setting, personal responsibility and developing the leader within — all while providing each participant with a tailored suit, shirt, tie and dress shoes. Throughout the event, participants received one on one guidance from the volunteers, working professionals from across Tampa Bay.

Dierdre White, Chief Legal Officer and executive sponsor of the Grow Financial Foundation, cares deeply about community development strategies, financial literacy, workforce development and the affordable housing dilemma we see in Tampa Bay. She championed our involvement in the Suit Up & Show Up event, encouraging a group of volunteers from Grow to participate as a means to give back to the young people in our community. She shared, “The event gives young men a chance to hear from and connect with a variety of working professionals and start developing professional networking skills, leadership skills, goal-setting strategies and habits around personal responsibility. The words of wisdom, collaboration and boosts of support are what the event is about. And that’s what Grow Financial wants for all members of the communities we serve. When someone sees talent and potential in you and nurtures it, that’s truly meaningful.”

Volunteers shared professional insights and advice with the group of young men. Christopher Aviles, Property Management Specialist, was one of several Grow team members who volunteered at Suit Up & Show Up. He said, “I enjoyed being part of this event, from helping young men get fitted into suits to explaining my life story and sharing advice about how even when things are tough, you have the power to make changes.”

About CDC of Tampa

Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa) creates opportunities for people to build prosperous futures and vibrant communities. They deploy comprehensive community development strategies that connect workforce development, housing and real estate with education, resident leadership and community safety to drive economic prosperity. Founded in 1992, CDC of Tampa strives to help Bay Area communities become equitable, diverse and engaged through a variety of initiatives, including events like Suit Up & Show Up. Learn more at cdcoftampa.org.

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