DALLAS – On Tuesday August 11, 2015, the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program celebrates 22 years of mentoring college students. The milestone will be observed during a luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 300 Reunion Blvd., in Downtown Dallas. Student-interns will be recognized for their employment experiences and community service during the luncheon where approximately 10 students will be awarded scholarships. Serita A. Jakes, of the Potter's House, will be the luncheon's speaker.

More than 2,200 interns have participated in the program that was started by State Senator Royce West in 1993. This summer, 123 college students were placed in paid internships at 53 businesses across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Samantha Hodges, a sophomore marketing major at Prairie View A&M University, interned at Pegasus Link Constructors this summer where Conrad alumna Adrienne Williams is the Public information and DBE manager.

Williams has hired Conrad interns for the past three years. “It feels so rewarding to give back to a program that helped me,” said Williams, who was a Conrad Program intern 18 years ago. “The program taught me leadership skills, networking, and the importance of volunteering.”

In addition to a paid internship, the interns had a full slate of activities which included: a Class IceBreaker, two fundraisers, volunteered at Cheryl Smith’s “Don’t Believe the Hype” Celebrity Bowl-a-thon that benefits area children's charities, and volunteered at the Fair Park Fourth for the Friends of Fair Park. July 16, they participated in a Male/Female Rap Session mentoring event with area professionals. On Sunday July 12, they joined Senator West for Morning Worship at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church. They were also guests at an Alumni/Intern "Rep Your School" Mixer hosted by Judge Dominique Collins.

On Saturday, August 8, the interns will conduct a Class Community Service Project, "Know Your Rights and Responsibilities Rally." The final activities for the 2015 Class will be the annual End of Summer Barbecue and the Intern/Sponsor Recognition Luncheon. The events are designed to enhance the experiences of the interns through character building, community service, mentoring, and employment exploration.

“My placement has allowed me to see the behind the scenes of my chosen field and I now know marketing is really what I want to do,” said intern Samantha Hodges. “I really appreciate all the great advice and life experience lessons from the mentors.”

Senator West's motivation for the Conrad Leadership Program came when he found that many of the college students in his district had to work to pay their way through school. With that in mind, he felt it would be great to provide them with career-related internship employment.

“We are thankful for all of our corporate partners who have provided the jobs for these future leaders over the years and the countless number of volunteers and supporters that help to give the students a "hand-up" and not a "hand-out,” said Senator West. “We appreciate the priceless opportunities they are providing these young people.”

The Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program is named in honor of Dr. Emmett J. Conrad, the renowned Dallas African–American physician, civic leader and former State Board of Education member.

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