Teen entrepreneur program scores Payton as spokesman

Young people looking to get a leg up in business now have a former NBA star on their team.

Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas recently passed the spokesperson ball to Las Vegas resident Gary Payton while the organization attempts to grow nationally, founder Lydia High said.

Payton also will help teach life and entrepreneurial skills to the young people in Las Vegas.

Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas is a 25-week after-school program that uses hands-on experience to help young people understand the business of life.

The nonprofit organization is at 1621 E. Flamingo Road.

Payton is an Oakland, Calif., native whose father's mentoring propelled him from a tough neighborhood to a successful and lucrative basketball career.

"These kids here are very fortunate to have a chance to get their business off the ground," Payton said. "I never had this opportunity, and I don't think anyone in my neighborhood had this opportunity."

High started Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas to address the "educational crisis" she saw in Nevada. The Saturday sessions include professional speakers who help students hash out a use for an up to $500 stipend to start their own business.

"It allows students to be able to sit down with business owners and talk about things that are relative to the real world," she said.

Students have started skin care and apparel lines, websites and magazines, some of which are still in business.

The organization has grown from 12 students to about 500 since High started it in 2007. High pooled her experience from more than 10,000 volunteer hours and contacts in her professional accounting and finance roles.

High hopes to match her volunteer commitment and have 10,000 members nationwide with Payton's help.

"He supports that and our endeavor to reach out," High said. "Being from Oakland, he understands how important education is. So many athletes are in financial ruins after their athletic careers, and education is very, very important."

Payton said he hopes to network and get the word out about Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas. He said he wants to bring friends such as actors Denzel Washington and Will Smith on board because they have similar affiliations to support organizations in their hometowns.

Payton said his wisdom to impart doesn't revolve around just sports.

"I want kids to understand that athletics aren't everything," he said. "I just want to help these kids get out of the neighborhoods and get on track."

Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas is open to all students, from public and private schools to home school arrangements, with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and a letter of recommendation.

For more information, visit teolv.org or call 885-3011.

Contact Centennial and Paradise View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.