UPCOMING EVENTS
Youth Summit Agenda
2025 coaching symposium
EXPLORE OUR SYMPOSIUM AGENDA
Dive into our comprehensive event agenda featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions. Plan your participation and make the most of your event experience.
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 8:00 AM
Kjimpact Coaching Symposium
Welcome to the KJImpact Foundation Youth Coaching Symposium and Youth Summit! We’re thrilled to come together to explore new coaching strategies, share insights, and build meaningful connections. Our goal is to empower youth to unlock their potential, inspire growth, and create positive change. Let’s make today a day of learning, inspiration, and lasting impact. Thank you for being here!
- 5/31/25
- 8:00 AM
Welcome
Embracing Change and Adaptability in Managing the Modern Athlete”
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/30/25
- 8:30 AM
Legal Landmines: Compliance in the NIL and Portal Era – Risk Management and Initial Compliance Eligibility
In this rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics, the intersection of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and the NCAA Transfer Portal presents a host of compliance challenges for institutions, athletes, and administrators alike. Join facilitator Jakeem Perry for an in-depth seminar focused on identifying and navigating the legal landmines that come with this new era. This session will explore essential risk management strategies, initial eligibility concerns, and the critical role of proactive compliance planning. Whether you’re a compliance officer, coach, administrator, or legal advisor, this seminar will provide you with the tools to stay ahead of regulatory changes and safeguard your institution from costly missteps.
- 5/30/25
- 8:30 AM
NIL, Transfers, & Compliance
Navigate risk, eligibility, and regulatory shifts
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 9:00 AM
Media Relations for Young Athletes: Skills, Strategy & Mock Interviews with Carl Prather
In today’s fast-paced sports landscape, young athletes are often thrust into the media spotlight before they’ve had a chance to develop the communication skills needed to navigate it effectively. Join veteran sportscaster Carl Prather for an insightful and practical seminar focused on helping young athletes master the fundamentals of media relations. Participants will learn how to communicate confidently during interviews, handle tough questions with poise, and understand the importance of personal branding and professionalism on and off the field. The seminar will culminate in a live mock interview session, offering attendees a hands-on opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a supportive, real-world simulation. Ideal for student-athletes, coaches, and parents, this session equips the next generation of sports stars with tools for success both in the game and in front of the camera.
- 5/31/25
- 9:00AM
Media Training for Athletes
Build confidence, brand, and interview skills.
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 10:00 AM
Topic: TBD
This seminar empowers coaches and sports professionals to address the growing mental health challenges faced by today’s athletes, including suicide risk, by providing practical tools, research-based insights, and real-world strategies. Attendees will learn to recognize warning signs, create psychologically safe environments, and respond effectively to emotional distress. The session highlights the unique pressures modern athletes face—such as identity struggles, social media scrutiny, injury recovery, and performance anxiety—while calling on coaches to serve as proactive advocates for athlete well-being in high-performance settings.
- 5/31/25
- 10:00 AM
Mental Health
TBD
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 10:30 PM
Built to Brand: Empowering Athletes at Every Level in the Digital Era
Powered by My Front Office Digital (MFOD), this seminar equips athletes, families, and sports professionals with the tools to build and monetize a personal brand in the age of NIL. From middle school standouts to professional players, participants will learn how to create a strong digital identity and use MFOD’s platform to access opportunities in sponsorships, merchandising, affiliate sales, and beyond—turning online presence into long-term value on and off the field.
- 5/31/25
- 10:30 PM
Built to Brand
NIL and the Digital Athlete Brand
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 11:00 PM
Team Dynamics: Managing Egos, Roles, Group Development, and Communication
Great teams don’t just happen—they’re built through intentional leadership, self-awareness, and effective communication. In this dynamic seminar, former NFL wide receiver Sammie Coates brings his firsthand experience from elite-level sports to explore the critical elements of team success. Participants will gain insight into managing individual egos, defining and embracing team roles, understanding group development stages, and enhancing communication to strengthen team cohesion. Whether you’re leading a sports team, student organization, or professional group, this session offers practical strategies for fostering unity, maximizing performance, and navigating challenges that arise within team environments.
- 5/31/25
- 11:00 PM
Mastering Team Dynamics
Manage egos, roles, growth, and communication.
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 12:00 PM
FIRST HORIZON BANK
Lunch Sponsor
The KJImpact Foundation extends our deepest gratitude to First Horizon Bank for generously sponsoring the lunch at the KJImpact Symposium & Summit.
Your support helped fuel meaningful conversations, powerful connections, and the continued advancement of our mission to uplift and empower the next generation of leaders through education, entrepreneurship, and impact-driven partnerships.
We are honored to have you as part of our community and deeply appreciate your commitment to making a lasting difference.
Together, we’re creating impact that matters.
— The KJImpact Foundation Team
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 1:00 PM
Attitude & Success
If an individual’s attitude is not positively managed, it can make it very difficult to be successful in life and hinder progression of one’s future. This presentation will focus on how attitude and success are related to one another. Participants will learn factors that play a part in one’s attitude and how those factors can have either a positive or negative influence in their success. Participants will also learn the components of the first impression model and how attitude is included is this model. Furthermore, participants will be asked to self-reflect to determine if they practice having a positive attitude and if not how to working toward achieving this goal to prevent this being a barrier to their success in the future. If time permits, participants will be asked to complete an individual or group activity related to topic. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions or offer comments at the end of the presentation.
- 5/31/25
- 1:00 PM
The Power of Perspective
Positive mindset fuels success and growth.
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 2:00 PM
Understanding Rules and Benefits of NIL
Join licensed sports agent Terrell Suggs for an insightful seminar on the rules and benefits of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college athletics. Drawing from his personal journey into athlete representation, inspired by his son’s collegiate football career, Suggs will break down current NIL regulations, explain how student-athletes can legally profit from their personal brand, and offer practical guidance on maintaining eligibility while pursuing sponsorship and endorsement opportunities. With a focus on education, ethics, and empowerment, this seminar is designed for athletes, parents, coaches, and professionals looking to understand and succeed in the rapidly evolving NIL landscape.
- 5/31/25
- 2:00 PM
Navigating NIL Rules & Opportunities
Understand NIL regulations, maximize athlete earnings.
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 3:00 PM
Mentorship, Leadership & Community Impact
Seminar Description:
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring Derrick Powell Jr., Nyla Johnson, and Kerry Stevenson, as they share their unique perspectives on mentorship, leadership, and community impact. This seminar will delve into how individuals from diverse backgrounds—ranging from sports coaching to entrepreneurship and education—can inspire and uplift their communities.
Key Discussion Points:
The Role of Mentorship in Personal and Professional Development:
Explore how guidance from experienced individuals can shape the futures of young people.Leadership in Action: Lessons from Sports, Business, and Education:
Insights into how leadership principles apply across different fields and their impact on communities.Building and Sustaining Community Impact Through Collaboration:
Strategies for creating lasting change by working together and supporting one another.
Derrick Powell – Men’s Basketball Coach at Tuskegee University
Derrick Powell brings a wealth of experience from his athletic background and current role as a coach. His journey from a standout player to a dedicated coach exemplifies the power of mentorship and leadership in sports.
Nyla Johnson – Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Vincennes University
Nyla Johnson has a diverse coaching background, including roles at Belmont University, Alabama A&M, Temple College, and Birmingham-Southern College. Her experience spans Division I, junior college, and high school levels, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of mentorship and leadership in sports.
Kerry Stevenson – Educational Consultant and Mindset Coach
Kerry Stevenson has dedicated his career to education and mentorship, serving in various roles including Director of Player Development at the University of Alabama. His work emphasizes the transformative power of education and leadership in shaping communities.
- 5/31/25
- 3:00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderated by: TBD
- Von Braun Center, Huntsville
- 5/31/25
- 4:00 PM
Motivational, Mindset & Inspiration
Motivational, Mindset & Inspiration is an empowering seminar led by NFL athlete and entrepreneur Trey Flowers, designed to ignite personal growth, resilience, and purpose in every attendee. Drawing from his journey as a professional athlete, business leader, and community advocate, Trey shares powerful insights on how mindset shapes outcomes, how motivation fuels action, and how inspiration can be found even in life’s toughest moments. This session challenges participants to break through mental barriers, overcome setbacks, and develop the inner discipline necessary to reach their goals. Whether you’re a student, athlete, educator, or professional, Trey’s message is rooted in authenticity and driven by real-life experience. He equips audiences with practical tools to build confidence, stay focused under pressure, and lead with intention. Through dynamic storytelling, actionable strategies, and engaging interaction, Motivational, Mindset & Inspiration leaves participants energized and ready to take control of their future. This seminar isn’t just about being inspired in the moment—it’s about learning how to live with purpose every day. Prepare to be moved, challenged, and motivated to unlock your full potential.
- 5/31/25
- 4:00 PM
Mindset Mastery: Unlocking Your Potential
Transform mindset, fuel motivation, achieve greatness.