Students meet for three hours once a week after school to learn all the strategies for creating and starting their own legal business. More than 50 volunteers from the community give their time to help students launch entrepreneurial endeavors. Volunteers who provide assistance include graphic designers who help bring students' visions to life; CEOs who impart business wisdom and knowledge; and accountants, lawyers, speech coaches, and more who help them acquire the tools they need to succeed.

At the end of the program, one student is chosen to represent Manhattan Beach in a national entrepreneurial competition in New York.

"The 2020-2021 class will hold a distinction we've yet to have in the seven years the MB chamber has offered the program. It will be held virtually - at least at the beginning," said Nellie Ambrose, the YEA! program manager. "We are looking forward to this new group of students who will embrace this new way of learning and create one of a kind businesses or social movements that can change their life and perhaps even change the world."

Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kaufmann Foundation, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy today serves thousands of students in 168 communities across America. In 2011, the United States Chamber of Commerce and Campaign for Free Enterprise became a national sponsor and partner of YEA! to help celebrate the spirit of enterprise among today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders.

For more information and to apply, visit ManhattanBeachChamber.com/yea or email [email protected]