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Organizers pitch 'Hustlefest' to give local youth business experience after recent violence
Summary
A community initiative called Hustlefest aims to give youth ages 8–21 a safe place to practice entrepreneurship and receive mentorship; commissioners and local business groups pledged support and offers to connect the organizers with resources and a nonprofit pitch program.
Organizers of a proposed youth entrepreneurship event called "Hustlefest" asked the commission for support on Aug. 19, citing recent local violence and a need for alternatives that give young people legitimate, supervised ways to earn and learn.
Tiffany Robinson, who described the event as a community-driven "job fair" for kids ages 8 to 21, said Hustlefest would provide booth space, safe selling opportunities, mentorship from business leaders and lessons on turning informal sales into legitimate ventures.
"In light of our recent violence in the community, Hustlefest stands as a safe, positive space where our young people can sell, network, and learn without fear," Robinson said. "By helping youth turn their hustle into legitimate businesses, we're reducing risky street sales and replacing dangerous hustle culture with real entrepreneurship."
Commissioners and community leaders pledged help. Commissioner Jordan Johnson said he would sponsor May Park as a possible location and urged the organizers to partner with local nonprofits. Ronique West of the Greater Augusta Black Chamber offered to connect the organizers to an October young-entrepreneurs pitch program and help with 501(c)(3) conversion advice.
The event remains in planning. Robinson said the organizers are working toward nonprofit status and are raising seed funds; commissioners encouraged them to engage the business incubator, the sheriff's office prevention programs and local chambers for mentorship and logistics.
No formal city funding was approved at the meeting; commissioners and community partners offered mentoring, venue sponsorship and help navigating nonprofit and grant applications.
