NEXT LEVEL YOUNG CEOS AND LEADERS

HOW THE YOUNG CEO EXPERIENCE BEGAN 

Lynn Brown Inspires: Young CEOs and Leaders is a 501(c)(3) created and inspired by founder and CEO Norma Lynn Brown through her entrepreneurial family living in an under resourced community family-owned small grocery store. After she graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing education and a master’s in business education, she started her journey as a high school instructor. 

After teaching entrepreneurship, marketing and business and served as an award-winning DECA Advisor/Coach for 35 years she retired. GOD gave her the vision to use all the knowledge, talents, opportunities and resources she received to go into similar communities she grew up in to teach young people how to start, maintain and sustain their own businesses.

THE YOUNG CEO EXPERIENCE STARTS WITH A YOUNG CEO CAMP & BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION

After retirement Norma Brown created a two-week Young CEO and Leaders summer camp for youth in grades 4-12 teaching them and allowing them to embrace the experience of creating a business plan to start a business of their choice that is connected to their passion. 

At the end of the two weeks, students she their plans in a Young CEO Business Plan Competition. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners representing two ages groups, groups; however, ALL the Young CEOs receive start-up seed money to continue their Young CEO Experience. 

After the competition, each Young CEO displays their business in a pop-up shop to sell their goods and services 

To ensure every student has the opportunity to experience the entrepreneurial mindset, there is NO COST to them thanks to a variety of generous donors from the community, businesses and donations. 

In addition to the Columbia, S.C. camp Mrs. Brown teaches another 2-week camp called Camp Wanza in Charleston, South Carolina. Camp Wanza was started in memory of Tywanza Sanders, a young man who was murdered in the Emanuel 9 Church Shooting. He was known as an amazing entrepreneur with several business before his death.

HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE USED TO HELP WITH THE YOUNG CEO EXPERIENCE: THE YOUNG CEO SUMMER CAMP

The CEO Summer Camp Experience – The Young CEO Summer Camp Experience this year 2026 celebrated its ninth year, the camp has provided the foundation for Young CEO experience to continue for young people in the communities at NO COST to families. Your contributions help provide: 

1. Breakfast, lunch and snacks for 2 weeks 
2. Laptops and other community supplies
3. transportation to and from the camp daily
4. Facilities for 2 weeks
5. expert instructors and business coaches
6. supplies for the camp and business plan 
7. Pop-up shops materials for each Young CEO
8. Business Pitch Competition production and marketing
9. Other miscellaneous items 

THE YOUNG CEO EXPEREINCE CONTINUES BEYOND THE Young CEO SUMMER CAMP 

After teaching 35 years and 9 years of summer workshops, Mrs. Brown saw that students needed more than a Young CEO summer camp to start and maintain a sustainable business. She then created the Young CEO Experience Program ™ to provide ongoing support, training, and practical tools for Young CEOs. Also Mrs. Brown created the AIM High Charter School Young CEO Experience Program at Benedict College and now the AIM High Young CEOs are now a part of the Young CEO Experience After School and year-round Program

The Young CEO Experience ™ year-round after-school program will provide business mentorship, post-secondary and career planning, personal and business finance, entrepreneurship curriculum, community service and engagement, leadership development, profession/expert staff, field trips, college tours, and business competitions.

Two major components of the program include:

1. Young CEO Next Level Club ™ 
 After the students present their businesses the become members of this exclusive club for all graduates of the Young CEO Summer Camp and AIM High CEOs.  However other young entrepreneurs with a business or interest maybe invited as guests to special events. Students in the Young CEO Journey program will serve as officers and leaders, to help their peers build confidence, business skills, and are provided with resources, opportunities and exposure to creative experiences

2.  Parents of Young CEOs Program
Parents of the Young CEO Experience Program are required to join because the Young CEOs are minors and they serve as leadership for the organization. Parents and guardians receive guidance, resources, and encouragement to better support their Young CEOs’ goals, businesses, and leadership growth.