The 2024 YMCA Community Dinner featured speaker will be Josh Shipp. Statistically, Josh Shipp should be dead, in jail, or homeless. But his success as a preeminent author, speaker, and global youth empowerment expert is living proof of the power of one caring adult. A former at-risk foster kid turned youth advocate; Josh is renowned for the documentary TV series on A&E that followed his groundbreaking work with youth and families. He has written two national bestsellers, “The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans” – winner of the Nautilus Gold Award for Parenting & Family – and “The Teen’s Guide to World Domination.” Thanks to the support of teachers, counselors, and a fantastic set of foster parents, Josh went on to be named to Inc. Magazine’s 30 under 30 list and completed his postgraduate studies at Harvard. Josh is regularly called on by OPRAH, CNN, FOX, The New York Times, 20/20, Good Morning America, and others to comment on the next generation's challenges.