The Black Enterprise Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur Conference presented by Wendy's International will kick off its popular business education program May 15 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The conference teaches young people from around the country the skills needed to become successful business owners. Created to be as fun as it is educational, the program is committed to grooming the entrepreneurial potential of tomorrow's business leaders with a step-by-step approach to enterprise development and management.

Running simultaneously with the 2008 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors, the Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur Conference offers instruction at three levels: Presidents Club (for youth ages 14-17 who are returning to the conference or are established business owners), Future CEOs (ages 11-13), and Futurepreneurs (ages 7-10). Attendees will learn how to create a business proposal, build a business Website, and learn a little about banking among other topics.

"The Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur Conference is the best atmosphere for young people to learn the basics of business and be exposed to successful educators, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals," says BLACK ENTERPRISE Sr. VP/Editor-in-Chief Alfred A. Edmond Jr. "This top-notch program covers everything from developing leadership skills to drafting a business plan. With the outstanding support of Wendy's International, which has sponsored the event since its inception in 1995, the program continues to spark one success story after another. The program culminates with a graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 17, where the students will present their completed business plans."

BLACK ENTERPRISE further recognizes individual or groups of entrepreneurs, 17 or younger, with the Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur Award. Previous award winners include Atlanta-based Kenya James, publisher of Blackgirl Magazine; Camille Winbush, actress and owner of Baked Ice ice cream shop in Pasadena, California; Najee McGreen, founder of Brooklyn, New York-based Techmaster Computer Works; and Joel Williams Jr. of Troy, Texas, inventor of the SmartButton, an innovative device that helps children differentiate their left and right feet.