In this special youth-led interview, Ashton Reese sits down with Edward Dean, Founder and Executive Director of Avengers Youth Mentoring Organization (AYMO), for an engaging conversation about youth empowerment, leadership, mentorship, and the organization's vision for the future. By taking the lead as interviewer, Ashton demonstrates the confidence, communication skills, and leadership that AYMO strives to develop in every young person it serves. This conversation highlights the importance of giving youth a voice and empowering them to become tomorrow's leaders and changemakers.

As the 2026 Detroit Summer Youth Internship Program came to a close, Edward Dean, Founder and Executive Director of Avengers Youth Mentoring Organization (AYMO), delivered a heartfelt message encouraging interns to recognize their growth, celebrate their accomplishments, and continue pursuing their goals with confidence and determination. His closing remarks reinforced the importance of leadership, professionalism, perseverance, and using the skills and relationships developed throughout the summer to create opportunities for themselves and positively impact their communities. While the internship may have ended, their journey toward becoming tomorrow's leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers is just beginning.

Detroit Youth Workforce Development: From Training to Real-World Experience

Summer 2026 | 73 Youth Interns | Leadership, Career Readiness & Community Impact

This summer, 73 youth interns participated in Avengers Youth Mentoring Organization's Detroit Summer Workforce Development Program, gaining valuable skills, professional experience, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their community.

The journey began with an intensive week of orientation and professional development, June 29–July 3, 2026, featuring hands-on workshops in financial literacy, budgeting, banking, real estate and wealth building, professional etiquette, networking, communication, workplace readiness, leadership, personal presentation, and sexual harassment prevention. These sessions prepared interns to enter the workforce with confidence, professionalism, and a greater understanding of their future opportunities.

On July 18, 2026, our youth took those lessons beyond the classroom by hosting a Youth Networking Event at Wayne State University. Interns engaged with business professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders, practicing professional introductions, exchanging contacts, building relationships, and exploring career and mentorship opportunities.

The following week, on July 25, 2026, youth put their skills into action through AYMO's partnership with the Water Lantern Festival, supporting event setup, guest services, operations, and breakdown. This experience provided practical exposure to event management, teamwork, customer service, responsibility, and the importance of delivering a successful community event.

Throughout the summer, interns also participated in supervised work assignments, mentoring, enrichment activities, and community development initiatives, including contributing to the development of the AYMO Community Chess Park. These experiences connected workforce preparation with entrepreneurship, neighborhood revitalization, and civic responsibility.

By the end of the program, our youth had accomplished far more than completing a summer internship. They had developed professional networks, gained hands-on work experience, strengthened their leadership abilities, and helped create lasting improvements in their community.

At AYMO, we're not just preparing young people for their first jobs. We're developing tomorrow's entrepreneurs, leaders, and community changemakers.

Same Youth. Bigger Vision.

Houston Youth Reach New Heights

June 7–13, 2026 | New Mexico Wilderness Experience

From June 7–13, 2026, eight youth from our Houston program stepped outside their comfort zones and into an unforgettable wilderness adventure in New Mexico through our partnership with E210 Outdoors. Surrounded by mountains, trails, and breathtaking landscapes, participants disconnected from the distractions of everyday life and embraced new challenges that strengthened their confidence, resilience, and leadership.

Throughout the week, our youth learned that growth often begins where comfort ends. Whether hiking mountain trails, setting up camp, working together as a team, or reflecting around the campfire, each experience encouraged perseverance, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for the world around them.

We are grateful to our partners at E210 Outdoors for providing an opportunity that many of our youth had never imagined possible. Experiences like these broaden perspectives, build character, and remind young people that there are no limits to what they can accomplish when they are willing to embrace new challenges.

What an AMAZING way to close out our summer camp in Detroit, Michigan!

Thanks to the generous support of Wayne Metro, Avengers Youth Mentoring Organization was able to provide a transformational summer experience for our youth. Their investment made every lesson, every activity, and every young entrepreneur’s dream possible!

We wrapped up with our Youth Small Business Bazaar, and our kids truly showed out!

• They created and ran their own businesses

• Sold food, snacks, and so much more

• Greeted customers with confidence

• Wrote receipts for every sale

• Counted money accurately — without calculators! 

Many groups made significant profits, and in true leadership form, every single business donated 10% of their earnings back into our organization to keep this work going. 

To our incredible parents and families: THANK YOU for showing up, helping, and supporting these young entrepreneurs every step of the way.

While we didn’t get local media coverage, we have an amazing recap video of the entire summer camp along with additional media from the Youth Bazaar — a lasting record of this unforgettable summer!

And to every partner, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this day — and this entire summer — a success: we couldn’t have done it without you.

Our Incredible Detroit Youth Businesses and Their Contributions:

Nacho Squad
• Profit: $645.50
• Donation to AYMO: $64.55

Cake Vendors on the Go
• Profit: $298.00
• Donation to AYMO: $29.80

BJM Bakery
• Profit: $237.00
• Donation to AYMO: $23.70

Golden Sub
• Profit: $220.00
• Donation to AYMO: $22.00

Fair Foods
• Profit: $194.00
• Donation to AYMO: $19.40

DJM Melon
• Profit: $192.00
• Donation to AYMO: $19.20

KCRC Shop
• Profit: $154.36
• Donation to AYMO: $15.44

The Carter Boys
• Profit: $72.00
• Donation to AYMO: $7.20

Mr. Tator
• Profit: $66.00
• Donation to AYMO: $6.60

Girls Snack Stand
• Profit: $35.00
• Donation to AYMO: $3.50

What an AMAZING way to close out our summer camp in Houston, Texas!

Thanks to the generous support of the Highwind Impact Fund, Avengers Youth Mentoring Organization was able to provide a transformational summer experience for our youth in the Sunnyside community of Houston, Texas. Their investment made every lesson, every activity, and every young entrepreneur’s dream possible! 

We wrapped up with our Youth Small Business Bazaar, and our kids truly showed out!

•  They created and ran their own businesses

•  Sold candy, food, and so much more

•  Greeted customers with confidence

•  Wrote receipts for every sale

•  Counted money accurately — without calculators! 

 Several groups even profited over $100 each, and in true leadership form, each of those groups donated 10% of their earnings back into our organization to keep this work going. 

 To our incredible parents and families: THANK YOU for showing up, helping, and supporting these young entrepreneurs every step of the way.

 Special thanks to ABC13 Houston for highlighting our program and sharing the positivity coming out of the Sunnyside community with the world!

 And to every partner, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this day—and this entire summer—a success: we couldn’t have done it without you.

 Houston, this is just the beginning. Our youth are dreaming big and building bigger! Stay tuned for what’s next.

Our Incredible Youth Businesses and Their Contributions:

Snack Farmers
• Profit: $75
• Donation to AYMO: $7.50

The World’s Greatest Snack Store
• Profit: $181
• Donation to AYMO: $18.10

Snack Factory
• Profit: $30
• Donation to AYMO: $3.00

Italiante
• Profit: $225
• Donation to AYMO: $22.50

The Cool Stop
• Profit: $85
• Donation to AYMO: $8.50

The Cool Zone
• Profit: $90
• Donation to AYMO: $9.00

The Twisted Cool Cup
• Profit: $75
• Donation to AYMO: $7.50

Candy Sweets & Treats
• Profit: $80
• Donation to AYMO: $8.00

The Duo
• Profit: $95
• Donation to AYMO: $9.50

The Munchie Mart
• Profit: Broke Even
• Donation to AYMO: N/A