First Friday goes to Little India Lounge on May 6! Share the good times and come join Generation Charleston for fun, food and spirits!

First Friday runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Little India Lounge is located upstairs at Little India, where west meets east for authentic Indian cuisine. (Washington Street East, across from Tricky Fish)

Parking available in Little India’s lot off of Elizabeth Street, behind the Red Carpet Lounge.

And invite your friends!

Registration is underway for Generation West Virginia’s Young Leaders Conference May 12 at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, W.Va.

In its fourth year, the annual conference will focus on the persistence, opportunity and progress of young leaders in the Mountain State. Sessions will focus on professional development, entrepreneurship, leadership, economic development. The conference will include panel discussions on how companies select their next set of leaders and how best to achieve a work-life balance.

“For young professionals, the benefit of attending the Young Leaders Conference is two-fold: extraordinary professional development and networking opportunities,” said Conference Co-Chair Brooke Pauley, a member of Generation Charleston. “Conference attendees are expected from all dozen regional groups – from Bluefield to Wheeling and Martinsburg to Huntington.”

Last year’s conference drew more than 200 young professionals from a plethora of careers and industries.

Confirmed speakers include Nikki Bowman, editor of WV LIVING magazine; Emily Bennington, co-author of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up in Your First Real Job; R.B. Seem, vice-president of commercial lending at MVB Bank Inc.; Russ Lorince, director of economic development at West Virginia University; Steve Roberts, president of West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; Jack Thompson, public relations coordinator at Chesapeake Energy; Maria Mancini, director for West Virginia University Hospitals Center for Education and Organizational Development; Rick Adams Jr., president of United Bank; and Keith Pauley, president of Matric Research.  

Those looking to gain valuable leadership skills and meet fellow young professionals who have a passion for West Virginia are encouraged to register for the Young Leaders Conference. Whether a member of local young talent organization or just want to learn more, individuals are urged to register today for the conference at www.generationwestvirginia.com. 

Registration is $115. New this year for companies is a corporate discount. Companies sending more than five employees to the conference receive a discount on registration. Scholarships are also offered to those who exhibit financial need. Additional details on the corporate discount and scholarships can be found on Generation West Virginia’s website.

Generation West Virginia is partnering once again with The State Journal to host the Generation Next: 40 Under 40 reception the evening of May 12 following the conference, highlighting the 40 young leaders chosen as emerging leaders.

Generation West Virginia is comprised with young talent organizations statewide including Generation Beckley, Generation Charleston; Generation Morgantown; Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle; Young Emerging Leaders of the Mid-Ohio Valley; OVConnect, based in Wheeling; Huntington Young Professionals; Pendleton County YPC; Generation GAP, based in Mercer County; Generation Greenbrier Valley; North Central Young Leaders; and Generation Putnam.

 The story below ran today on WCHS Radio.

Candidates running for at-large seats on Charleston City Council answered questions on the city’s user fee, road paving, storm water management and more during a forum hosted by Generation Charleston Tuesday.

Of the 11 candidates that will appear on the ballot, eight took part in the event.

T.J. Meadows with Generation Charleston moderated the meet and greet. He says it was an opportunity for residents to find out more about candidates.

“We wanted a chance to find out where they stand on the issues, and we couldn’t think of anything better than a forum where our members could actually put questions to the candidates,” Meadows said.

Municipal elections typically have a lower turnout than other elections.  Meadows says that’s a problem Generation Charleston wants to change.

“I think one of the most underplayed government roles is that of city council.  It’s hugely important,” Meadows said.  “It doesn’t get a lot of press.  People don’t get excited and run out to the polls.  Most of the issues that affect people are handled right here on the local level.”

Candidates discussed ways to encourage business development in the city, reduce violent crime and crub high gas prices.

Meadows says those topics are the kinds of things that people care about.  He says the only way to get things fixed is to get involved.

“We’re all around the water cooler all the time talking about how we don’t like this, or we don’t like that,” Meadows said.  “If you don’t show up to vote, you don’t have any means to complain.  People need to realize that the very thing they’re complaining about can be handled at the local level.”

The republican candidates in this year’s election are Chris Dodrill, L.G. Sturgill and Tom Lane.

Martha “Gale” Poore, Kasey Russell, Pat Brown, Jerry Ware, Andy Richardson and Mary Jean Davis are running as democrats.

Charles “Chuck Parks and Jason “Slim” Blackhurst are running as independents.

The six top vote-getters will make it onto council. The election is set for May 17.

Generation Charleston’s Public Policy Team is hosting a meet-and-greet for City Council at-large candidates from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Tuesday evening at Power Alley Grill.

Join us for an opportunity to meet the at-large candidates before the May 17 election. Each candidate will have time to introduce themselves and answer questions.

Attendees also will be able to check registration status.

The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Generation Charleston’s Public Policy Team is hosting a meet-and-greet for City Council at-large candidates from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 19 at Power Alley Grill.

Join us for an opportunity to meet the at-large candidates before the May 17 election. Each candidate will have time to introduce themselves and answer questions.

Attendees also will be able to check registration status.

The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Generation Charleston has adopted a block – more specifically, Edgewood Drive.

Every third Saturday of the month from April to October, GC volunteers will engage residents on that stretch to take an active role in “maintaining their piece of Charleston,” said Megan Tarbett, co-captain of the Community Outreach Team.

The first effort is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon April 16.

The Adopt-A-Block program is modeled after the Adopt-A-Highway program. Generation Charleston is in charge of monthly maintenance, including trash pick-up, leaf removal and larger beautification projects. Volunteers also hope to interact with residents and welcome them to participate.

To volunteer, contact Tarbett at Megan.H.Tarbett@wv.gov.

Charliewood, a gala paying homage to 1940s Hollywood, is almost here!

The stars will be shining from 8 p.m. to midnight this Saturday, April 9, at 405 Capitol St. That’s the old Daniel Boone Hotel. Charliewood features appetizers and beer, live music, a DJ and door prizes.

Tickets proceeds go toward a College Summit scholarship.

Tickets are $25 in advance. But hurry! Online registration ends at noon on Friday! Click here to register.

Prices increase to $35 at the door.

BrickStreet Insurance is the title sponsor of Generation Charleston.