About the Symposium
#AfterschoolSYM2026
On May 8, 2026, out-of-school time (OST) professionals are invited to attend Prime Time's annual Afterschool Symposium. Prime Time hosts its Afterschool Symposium every year to celebrate the exemplary efforts of our local OST practitioners while offering professional development workshops that deliver the tools to Light the Way Forward. The theme for Prime Time’s Afterschool Symposium is: "Lighting the Way: 25 Years of Afterschool Excellence." Our theme represents an opportunity to focus on honoring the legacy, dedication, innovation, impact, inspiration and progress of the OST field while charting a course for the future.
Together, we will celebrate the remarkable progress made over the past quarter-century and spark new ideas to ensure that afterschool and summer programs continue to serve as beacons of creativity, providing access to positive youth development practice and growth opportunities for generations to come.
Out-of-school time (OST) programs support children and youth before school, after school, over the summer, on weekends and during seasonal breaks.
Schedule
Location
Friday, May 8, 2026
7:30 a.m. - Check-In
8:00 a.m. - Welcome & Professional Development Recognition Ceremony
9:15 a.m. - Professional Development Workshops - Block I
10:25 a.m. - Professional Development Workshops - Block II
11:30 a.m. - Advancing Afterschool Awards Luncheon and Legacy in Motion: 25 Years of Prime Time
IMPORTANT: Professionals who work in youth-serving organizations within Palm Beach and Martin counties are given priority for registration. If you do not meet this requirement, your registration will be placed on a waitlist. Should any spots become available by May 1, you will be notified promptly. A registration fee will apply to individuals outside of Palm Beach and Martin counties.
In addition, to ensure equitable access to the conference, registration to the conference will be capped at four practitioners per site. If more than four individuals from the same site register, those additional registrants will automatically be placed on a waitlist with the exception of any pre-named nominees or honorees.
West Palm Beach Marriott
1001 Okeechobee Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Meet Our Emcee
Tevin Ali
Tevin Ali is a nationally acclaimed, award-winning motivational speaker, author, and the dynamic founder of Talk With Tevin LLC. With an inspiring message rooted in resilience, leadership, and personal transformation, Tevin has empowered thousands of students and professionals across the country helping them overcome adversity, unlock their inner potential, and pursue their personal missions with purpose.
A captivating presence on stage and beyond, Tevin has spoken at colleges, organizations, and schools nationwide, leaving lasting impact through his signature blend of authenticity, energy, and actionable wisdom. He is also a 2X Amazon #1 best-selling and award-winning author of Forging Your Inner Diamond and the empowering children's book Ambitious Archie.
Tevin holds a Master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. His outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to uplifting others have earned him national recognition, including features in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, iHeart Radio, the USA Today Network, U.S. News & World Report, The American Book Fest and the national television Telly Awards.
Beyond the stage and the page, Tevin continues making a difference serving as one of the Board of Directors for the South Florida Fair, where he helps shape impactful experiences for the community and our youth. Tevin shares his journey and work on TalkwithTevin.com.
Workshops
The symposium will showcase practice-ready workshops that center youth experience and measurable outcomes, offering actionable strategies for afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs.
| Block I | Presentation | Presenter | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healing-Centered Leadership: Supporting Youth by Supporting the Adults Who Serve Them - Effective youth programs begin with regulated, supported leaders. This session focuses on healing-centered leadership practices that help OST professionals manage stress, strengthen emotional regulation and lead with clarity in high-demand environments. Participants will examine evidence-informed leadership practices that enhance consistency, leader presence and healthy team dynamics, fostering positive outcomes for both staff and youth. | SANIBEL 1 | Tessie Watts | The Leadership Haven Resource Center LLC |
| Do More with Mizzen Education - Exploring Mizzen for Teams (a 100% free resource!) - Trusted learning resources. Powerful planning tools. One mighty, free workspace. What if everything you needed to plan engaging learning experiences was just...right there when you needed it? Join Mizzen for a real-time exploration of our free platform that powers out-of-school time learning and dig into our free team collaboration solution, Mizzen for Teams. Bonus: bring an updated list of your staff and get your team fully set up for success in minutes, for free. | GALLERY | Carlos Santini & Alex Jergensen | Mizzen Education |
| Fostering Future-Ready Youth - This interactive session will explore creative ways to engage youth in career exploration while developing the critical skills they will need to be ready for the future. | SANIBEL 2 | Tammy Greer | Florida After School, Inc. |
| Powered by Youth Voice - Public systems must work for and with the young people they serve. Join leaders from Every Hour Counts and Prime Time Palm Beach County to learn how to build better local systems for young people with young people. Whether your organization is just starting to explore youth engagement or looking to deepen existing efforts, this session will provide clear strategies, concrete tools and real-world examples to help you move from intention to action. The Youth Engagement Guide can be found here: https://www.everyhourcounts.org/resource-library | POLO | Jessica Donner & Anton Spalding | Every Hour Counts & Prime Time Palm Beach County |
| Block II | Room | Presenter | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promising Family Engagement: Content and Strategies - Everyone is so busy! Learn about ways to engage parents and caregivers in your programs. The presenter will share promising practices from existing resources. Attendees will meet others and consider ways to partner and commit to new ways to engage families. | GALLERY | Folami Prescott-Adams, Ph.D. | HTI Catalysts - A Network of Consultants |
| How Do You Destigmatize Mental Health in a Youth Organization? - Since launching in 2023, the EJS Project's EmpowerU Mental Health Program has reshaped our culture by normalizing mental health for youth, families and community. In this interactive session, Founding Director Emanuel 'Dupree' Jackson and Darius Murray LMHC of ReAbleU Therapy share how they moved safe spaces from conversation to action. Learn how therapeutic circles, strategic partnerships and proactive planning embed mental health into youth programs, and leave with actionable strategies to build stigma-free, supportive environments. | POLO | Emanuel 'Dupree' Jackson & Darrius Murray | EJS Project |
| The Elemental Lens: Capturing Confidence Through the Voice of C.A.L.M.™ - This interactive session introduces OST professionals to the VOICE of C.A.L.M.™ framework, a holistic approach that blends academic engagement with resilience-building and emotional regulation. Participants will explore practical strategies-including Periodic Affirmations™, to help youth transition from the school day, refocus and engage meaningfully. Attendees will leave with adaptable tools to support confidence, community and whole-child wellbeing in afterschool settings. | SANIBEL I | Dr. Deidre Reid-Thomas | Thomas Ed Learning Center |
| Beyond Supervision: What Out-of-School Time Can Become for Young People - Out-of-school time has evolved far beyond supervision. This session explores what OST can become when programs intentionally center youth voice, belonging and leadership while investing in continuous adult learning. Drawing from 25 years of youth development practice, participants will examine field-tested approaches that transform OST spaces into environments where young people feel seen, supported and empowered. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to strengthen youth engagement and elevate the impact of their own OST programs. | SANIBEL 2 | Dr. Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies & Andre Thaddies | Connect to Greatness, Inc. |
Beyond Supervision: What Out-of-School Time Can Become for Young People
presented by
Do More with Mizzen Education -
Exploring Mizzen for Teams
presented by
Dr. Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies
Founder-Chief Empowerment Officer
Connect to Greatness, Inc.
1530 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. #3525
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
561-502-0504
c2ginc561@gmail.com
Andre Thaddies
Executive Director
Connect to Greatness, Inc.
561-503-8455
https://connect2greatness.org/
Carlos Santini
CEO
Mizzen Education
13157 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, California 90292
310-906-8657
carlos@mizzen.org
Alex Jergensen
Head of Product
Mizzen Education
310-906-8657
Fostering Future-Ready Youth
presented by
Healing-Centered Leadership: Supporting Youth by Supporting the Adults Who Serve Them
presented by
Tammy Greer
Deputy Director
Florida After School, Inc.
1650 Summit Lake Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32317
561-704-2376
tgreer@flafterschool.com
Tessie Watts
CEO & Leadership Consultant
The Leadership Haven Resource Center LLC
560 Village Blvd. Suite 120 | Unit 18
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-574-6378
tessiewatts@theleadershiphaven.com
How Do You Destigmatize Mental Health in a Youth Organization?
presented by
Powered by Youth Voice
presented by
Emanuel 'Dupree' Jackson
Founder & Executive Director
EJS Project
3300 S Seacrest Blvd
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
561-600-1056
emanuel.jackson@ejsproject.org
Darius Murray
Founder, LMHC
ReAbleU Therapy
954-242-2397
https://www.reableutherapy.com/
Jessica Donner
Executive Director
Every Hour Counts
11 West 42nd Street
New York, New York 10036
212-729-4434
jdonner@everyhourcounts.org
Anton Spalding
Professional Development Manager
Prime Time Palm Beach County
561-600-9544
https://primetimepbc.org/
Promising Family Engagement:
Content and Strategies
presented by
The Elemental Lens: Capturing Confidence Through the Voice of C.A.L.M.™
presented by
Folami Prescott-Adams, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
HTI Catalysts - A Network of Consultants
1575 Brewer Blvd., SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
404-593-6548
drfolami@hticatalysts.net
Dr. Deidre Reid-Thomas
CEO & Director
Thomas Ed Learning Center
2655 S State Rd 7 STE E820
Wellington, FL 33414
561-235-3783
DRT@thomasedsolutions.com
The Advancing Afterschool Awards honors exemplary individuals for their work in the field of afterschool. Recipients will be recognized for their commitment to quality standards, dedication to the children and contributions to the afterschool field at Prime Time Palm Beach County’s Afterschool Symposium. This is a peer nominated award ceremony.
IMPLEMENTING QUALITY BY AN AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONAL AWARD
This award honors an afterschool professional (counselor, group leader, activity leader, assistant or aide)who exemplifies the highest standards of positive youth development through mentorship and care, creating a safe and nurturing environment where young people can thrive.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME LEGACY AWARD
EXCELLENCE IN EXPANDED LEARNING AWARD
Nominate your peers for the Excellence in Expanded Learning Award, designed to acknowledge a professional who works for a Prime Time expanded learning opportunity (ELO) provider who excels in providing high-quality, challenging, learning experiences in the following areas: Supporting School-day Academic Learning, Caring for the Whole Child, Discovering Arts and Culture, Leadership and Career Pathways and Exploring Technology.
QUALITY LEADERSHIP IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME AWARD
Nominate afterschool director or any individual who supervises/oversees school-age programming and staff, who excels in fostering high quality within his/her/their afterschool program and provides equal access to opportunities and resources to individuals. This person has shown extraordinary dedication, such as covering multiple roles and responsibilities, creating new policies and schedules, mentoring and developing staff.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Nominate your peers for the Community Impact Award - The award will go to a supporter of the afterschool field but who is not employed by an afterschool program and provides support and services or advocates for children in out-of-school time hours, such as an individual volunteer who supports the program or a whole community organization. Community service organizations, such as Palm Beach County Youth Services Department, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Children’s Services Council of Martin County, United Way, Kiwanis, Rotary, elected officials and faith-based entities are eligible to be nominated.
Thank you to our partners, funders and sponsors for making this event possible.
Partners and Funders
Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County
The Frederick A. Deluca Foundation
Sponsors
United Way Palm Beach County
Mizzen Education
Palm Beach State College
Grant Thornton
Connect
Have questions?
Contact Paola Cedeno, Event Manager, Prime Time Palm Beach County
Email: pcedeno@primetimepbc.org
Phone: 561-732-8066